Chicano  Studies  Research  Library 
F  1226  15  M6 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 
II 


N 


G  000  085  311   9 


J.  M.  BOUTWF' 

U.S.    GE  -    SURV^ 

Washington,  D.  C.  jy^ 

International  Bureau  of  the  American  Republics, 

WASHINGTON,   D.   C. 


MEXICO. 

9 

GEOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH,    NATURAL   RESOURCES, 

LAWS,    ECONOMIC   CONDITIONS, 

ACTUAL   DEVELOPMENT,    PROSPECTS  OF 

FUTURE   GROWTH. 

9 


Edited  and  Compiled  by  the 

INTERNATIONAL  BUREAU  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REPUBLICS. 


1904. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 

1904. 


While  the  utmost  care  is  taken  to  insure  accuracy  in  the  publications 
of  the  International  Bureau  of  the  American  Republics,  no  responsibility 
is  assumed  on  account  of  errors  or  inaccuracies  which  may  occur  therein. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Pfcge 
Chapter  I.  — Geographical  sketch — Area  and  population — Topography — Clima- 
tology— Orography — Hydrography 5 

II. — Historical  sketch ]  7 

III. — Ethnology  and  archaeology  of  Mexico,  by  Prof.  ().  T.  Mason,  etc..         24 
IV. — Government  and  constitutional  organization — Citizenship — Rights 

of  foreigners — Guaranties — Army  and  navy 47 

V. — Political  divisions — The  Valley  of  Mexico  and  the  Federal  Dis- 
trict— Capital  city — Principal  buildings — Public  institutions...         57 
VI. — The  States  and  Territories  of   the  Republic — Brief  geographical 
sketch  of  each — Resources,  means  of  communication,  climate, 

seasons,  population,  capital  cities,  industries 70 

VII. — Agriculture — Review  of  the  agricultural  wealth  of  the  country  — 
Principal    products,  their  cultivation — Facilities  for  obtaining 

( r«  >  vernment  lands — Lam  I  laws — Forest  pr<  iducts 1 66 

VIII.  —Stock  raising 214 

IX. — Mines  and  mining — Mining  Laws — Taxes,  etc 221 

X. — Industries  and  manufactures 245 

XL — Commerce— Domestic  and  foreign  tradt — Statistical  data — Ports 

and  customs  districts-Tariff 262 

XII. — Financial  organization — Public  debt — Budget 295 

X  1 1 1. — Mints — Currency — Banks — Banking  laws — Corporations 309 

XIV. — Means  of  communication — Railroads  and  railroad  law — Telegraphs 

and  telephones — Postal  service — Steamship  lines :;l'7 

X  V. — Public  lands — Colonization  and  immigration  laws 362 

XVI. — Education — Religion — Protestant  missions 376 

XVII. — Patent  and  trade-marks  Jaws 386 

XVIII. — Practice  of  medicine,  dentistry,   etc.— Cost   of  living — "Wages  to 

labor — Building,  etc 401 

XIX. — Miscellaneous — Statistical   data — Weights  and  measures — Cham- 
bers of  commerce — Treaties  and  conventions 407 

XX. — Bibliography  and  cartography 1-1 

3 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page. 

American  colony  in  the  City  of  Mexico 20 

Chapultepec  forest,  City  of  Mexico 40 

American  colony,  City  of  Mexico 60 

Avenida  18  Poniente  and  Mexican  National  Railway  station,  City  of  Mexico. .  68 

City  of  Guanajuato,  State  of  <  Guanajuato 100 

Palace  of  Guadalajara.  State  of  Jalisco 110 

Amacusac  Valley,  State  of  Morelos 120 

Municipal  Palace— Puebla — State  of  Puebla 126 

Port  of  Veracruz,  State  of  Veracruz 148 

"  El  Zopilote"  Mining  Works,  Territory  of  Tepic 160 

Strawberry  picking,  Cuernavaca,  Morelos 168 

Coffee  grading 1 7.S 

San  <  labile!  estate — Sugar  factory— Morelos HIS 

Irrigation  dam  near  Irapuato,  Guanajuato 210 

Loreto  Smelting  Plant,  Pachuca  District,  Hidalgo 230 

San  Rafael  Mining  Works,  Pachuca  District,  Hidalgo 240 

Rio  Blanco  Cotton  Mills,  Orizaba,  Veracruz 24S 

( .'<  tatzacoalcos  Harbor,  Tehuantepec 278 

Tampico,  state  of  Tamaulipas 290 

"El  Or..-'  Mining  Works,  State  of  Mexico 308 

Bridge  on  the  Balsas  River,  Mexican  Central  and  Pacific  Railway — Guerrero.  330 

Piscquiac  bridge — Jalapa  and  Tecalco  Railway 356 

Cathedral  of  Guadalajara,  Jalisco 368 

Juarez  Theater,  Guanajuato 402 

4 


MEXICO 


CHAPTER  I. 

GEOGRAPHICAL      SKETCH  — AREA      AND      POPULATION  —  TOPOG- 
RAPHY—CLIMATOLOGY— OROGRAPHY— HYDROGRAPHY 

GEOGRAPHICAL   POSITION. 

The  country  called  Mexico,  or  New  Spain,  by  the  historians  of  the 
last  century  was  situated  between  9°  and  40°  north  latitude,  and  80° 
and  5<>  west  longitude.  Its  length  was  2,100  miles,  and  its  breadth 
1,600.  The  United  Mexican  States  of  to-day,  according  to  the  latest 
official  data,  lie  between  14^  30'  42"  and  32°  42'  latitude  north,  and 
86°  46'  8"  and  117°  T  31"  longitude  west  from  Greenwich,  having  a 
superficial  area  of  about  1,987,201  square  kilometers.  The  northern 
and  eastern  boundary  of  the  Republic  is  the  United  States  of  America; 
the  eastern.  British  Honduras,  the  Caribbean  Sea,  and  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico;  its  southern,  the  Pacific  Ocean,  Guatemala,  and  British  Hon- 
duras; and  the  western,  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Its  greatest  length  is  about 
3,120  and  its  greatest  width  L,226  kilometers.  The  widest  part  is 
along  its  boundary  with  the  United  States,  and  the  narrowest  the 
Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec,  where  the  distance  from  ocean  to  ocean  is 
only  about  210  kilometers.  The  coast,  line  measures  8,830  kilometers, 
as  follows:  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  Caribbean  Sea  coast.  2,580;  Pacific 
Ocean  and  Lower  California,  6,250,  the  latter  having  :'>,<>i>o  kilometers 
coast  line. 

AREA    AND   POPULATION. 

The  area  and  population  of  the  Republic,  according  to  the  latest 
revised  figures  of  the  census,  October  28,  1900,  also  the  census  figures 

5 


6 


MEXICO. 


of  I  s'.'.">  and  the  percentage  of  population  per  square  kilometer  in  L900, 
is  shown  in  the  following  table  prepared  from  Mexican  official  data: 


States  and  territories 


Area  in 

Bquare  kiln- 
meter-. 


Population. 


Bquare 
kilo- 
meter. 


i   IN  I  RAI.   STATES. 


Federal  J>i-triet. 
Aguascalientes. . 

Durango  

Guanajuato 

Bidalgo 

Mexico 

Morelos 

I'llelila 

Quergtaro 

San  Luis  Potosi. . 

Tlaxcala 

Zacatecas 


NORTHERN   BT  VTI.s. 


i  Ibihuabua. . 

Coahuila 

Nuevo  Leon. 

Si  mora 


1, 

7. 
109, 
28, 
22, 
28, 
7, 

81, 

11, 
62, 
4, 
68, 


198. 7;> 
692.  00 
196.00 
863.00 
215.00 
185.00 
082.25 
616.00 
638.00 
177.(0 
132.00 
386. 00 


i.l  II    si   .1  ES. 


Campeche  . 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 
Veracruz. 


Yucatan  ami  Territory  of  Quintans  l: < . 


223,094.00 
165,099.00 
61,343.00 
L98,  196.00 


Af,,  855.  oo 
26,094.00 

M{,.y«7.tKi 

75, 863. 00 
91. 201.  IX) 


PACIFIC   ST  \T1  -. 


Low  et  California  i  territorj  i 

Colima 

i  Ibiapafi 

<  ruerrero 

Jalisco 

Michoacan 

<  taxaca  

Sinaloa 

Tepic  i  territory) 

Islands 


151, 
5, 
70, 
64, 
86, 
58, 
91, 
71. 
28, 
4, 


109.00 
ss7.no 
524.00 
756.00 
752.00 

.'.'.M.I  1(1 

664.00 

380.00 
371.00 
042. 00 


Total I,  €87,201.00 


468,705 
102,878 
292,649 
1,047,517 
651,817 
887,981 

973,  876 
224,848 
562, 195 
168,244 
147,265 


200, 008 
237,815 
807,856 
189,  158 


133,926 
203,342 

297,088 


41,838 

55,264 

818,780 

117,886 

1,094,669 

887,008 

872, 902 
266,  858 
146,805 


541,516 

102,416 

1,061,724 

984,  163 
160,115 
1,021,188 
232,889 
575,  182 
172,815 
162,190 


827,784 
296,938 
327,937 
221,682 


86,542 
159,834 
218,948 
981,030 

314,087 


17,624 
65,  LIS 
360,799 
179,205 

- 
930,033 
948,633 
296,701 
150,098 


12,491,678         13,605,819 


861.25 

37.  13 
27.28 
40.31 
22.61 
82.  80 
20  88 

9.  25 
41.68 

7.29 


1.40 
1 .  79 

5.  34 
1.11 


1.84 
6.12 
2. 61 
12.86 

3.44 


.31 
11.06 
5.11 
7.40 
13.80 
15.87 
10.34 
I.  15 
5. 29 


6.&5 


a  The  Territory  of  Quintana  Roo  was  created  by  act  of  December  1 4, 1900,  and  by  act  of  February  26, 
1904,  its  political  and  municipal  organization  was  established. 

Raa  and  nationality.  -Of  the  total  population  L9  per  cent  are  of 
pure  or  nearly  pure  white  race.  V-)  per  cent  of  mixed  race,  and  38  per 
cent  of  Indian  race.  Natives  descended  from  ancient  Indian  tribes, 
and  speaking  little  or  no  Spanish,  numbered  in  L895,  1,908,707.  Of 
the  mixed  and  Indian  race  only  a  very  small  proportion  can  be  regarded 
as  civilized.  The  foreign  population  in  L900  numbered  57,511.  The 
nationalities  most  numerously  represented  were  the  United  States, 
1.5,265;  Guatemalan,  5,804;  other  Americans,  3,379;  Spanish,  1(5,258; 
French,  .V.fTti:  British,  2,845;  German,  2, ">•'>">:  Italian,  2,564;  other 
European.  1,592;  Chinese.  2.834. 

Baron  von  Humboldt,  who  at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century 
visited  Mexico,  in  his  work  "  Political  Essay  on  New  Spain,"  cpaotes 
at  length  a  census  made  in  L810  by  Dr.  Fernando  Navarro  y  Noriega, 
according  to  which  the  total  population  of  Mexico  amounted  then  to 


BOUNDARIES.  7 

6,122,354  inhabitants,  divided  as  follows:  Europeans,  including 
ecclesiastics  and  nuns,  18  per  cent;  Indians,  GO  per  cent,  and  mixed 
races  22  per  cent.  In  1875,  according  to  the  census,  the  total  popula- 
tion had  increased  to  9,495,157  inhabitants,  divided  as  follows:  Euro- 
peans and  descendants  of  the  Spaniards,  20  per  cent;  mixed  races,  43 
per  cent,  and  native  Indian  race,  37  per  cent. 

During  the  sixty -five  years  elapsed  between  the  two  above-men- 
tioned censuses,  deducting  from  the  census  of  1810  the  inhabitants 
of  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Upper  California  (estimated  at  58,838 
individuals),  the  increase  of  the  population  was  3,431,141,  showing  an 
increase  in  the  European  element  of  1.1  per  cent  per  annum  and  in  the 
mixed  race  3.25,  while  the  native  Indian  decreased  at  the  rate  of  0.58 
per  cent  per  annum. 

VITAL    STATISTICS.   (a) 

Births. — According  to  the  "Anuario  Estadistico""  for  1902,  the  num- 
ber of  births  for  the  Republic  during  1901  was  470,060,  of  which 
224,259  were  males  and  225,801  females.  The  total  population,  as  given 
by  the  census  of  1900,  being  13,605,919  inhabitants,  the  birth  rate  is 
34.50  per  1,000  inhabitants. 

Deaths. — The  total  number  of  deaths  during  the  same  }Tear  was 
444,!»00,  of  which  231,061  were  males  and  213,839  females,  the  death 
rate  being  32.19  per  1,000  inhabitants.  Further  classification  of  the 
deaths  shows  that  there  died  393,348  natives  and  1,128  foreigners. 

BOUNDARIES. 

With  the  United  States. — The  boundary  with  the  United  States,  as 
fixed  by  the  treaties  of  February  2,  1848,  and  December  30,  1853, 
begins  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and 
follows  the  river  for  1,136  miles  beyond  El  Paso,  Tex.,  to  the  point 
where  it  meets  parallel  31°  47'  latitude  north,  thence  along  said  paral- 
lel for  a  distance  of  100  miles;  thence  south  to  parallel  31 :  20'  north 
latitude,  following  this  parallel  in  a  westerly  direction  as  far  as  the 
one  hundred  and  eleventh  meridian  of  longitude  west  from  Greenwich. 
Thence  it  runs  in  a  straight  line  to  a  point  on  the  Colorado  River  20 
miles  below  the  junction  of  the  Gila,  thence  up  the  middle  of  said 
Colorado  River  to  the  intersection  with  the  old  line  between  Upper 
and  Lower  California,  and  thence  to  a  point  on  the  Pacific  Ocean  dis- 
tant 1  marine  league  due  south  of  the  southernmost  point  of  the  Bay 
of  San  Diego,  the  total  distance  from  El  Paso,  Tex.,  to  the  Pacific 
being  674  miles.  The  whole  extent  of  the  boundary  between  the  two 
countries  is  1,833  miles.  As  this  boundary  line  runs  from  the  south- 
east to  the  northwest,  Mexico  has  on  the  Pacific  side  6-  34'  20"  of  lat- 
itude more  than  on  the  Gulf  side. 

Owing  to  the  discovery  of  mines  in  the  immediate  vicinit}T  of  the 

(«)  See  tables  on  pages  410-411,  Chapter  XIX. 


8  KEXIOO. 

boundary  line  some  years  later,  difficulties  arose  regarding  the  exact 

location  of  the  line  and  the  destruction  of  some  <>t'  the  original  marks. 
A  convention  was  then  concluded  between  the  two  Governments  at 
the  city  of  Washington  on  the  29th  of  July,  L882,  providing  for  the 
appointment  of  an  international   boundary  commission  to  ascertain 

the  condition  of  the  monuments  marking  the  boundary  line,  a  prelim- 
inary reconnoissanrc  of  the  same  line  to  be  made  by  both  ( rovernments 
in  accordance  with  the  stipulations  of  the  convention.  The  reconnois- 
sance  was  made  in  1883  by  officers  of  both  Governments,  independently, 
and  their  respective  reports  were  submitted  showing  the  necessity  of 
a  more  definite  demarcation  of  the  boundary  line.  The  other  stipula- 
tions of  this  convention  were  not  carried  into  effect  in  due  time,  ami 
another  convention  to  revive  and  continue  the  same  was  concluded  at 
Washington  between  the  two  Governments  on  the  18th  of  February, 
1889.  In  compliance  with  this  new  convention  the  officers  appointed 
by  the  two  Governments  began  the  work  assigned  to  them,  and  pre- 
sented their  joint  report  dated  Washington,  August  1-1,  L896.a 

117///  Guatemala. — The  boundary  with  Guatamala  is  fixed  by  the 
treaties  of  September  27,  1882,  and  April  1,  1895.  It  runs  from  a 
point  on  the  Pacific  coast,  3  leagues  distant  from  the  upper  mouth  of 
the  river  Zuchiate,  to  the  Caribbean  Sea,  following  the  course  indi- 
cated by  the  treaties.  The  boundary  with  Belize  is  defined  by  a  treaty 
signed  at  the  City  of  Mexico  on  July  8,  1893,  and  ratified  by  the 
Mexican  Senate  on  April  19,  1897.  This  line  runs  from  the  mouth  of 
Boca  Bacalar  Chica — a  strait  separating  Yucatan  from  Ambergris 
Ke}T — to  the  boundary  between  Mexico  and  Guatemala,  following  the 
demarcation  set  forth  in  the  treaty. 

Cessions  of  territory. — B}-  the  treaties  known  as  the  Guadalupe- 
Hidalgo  treaty,  February  2,  1848,  and  the  Gadsden  treaty.  December 
30,  1853,  Mexico  ceded  to  the  United  States  930,5!»<>  square  mile-,  or 
over  one-half  of  her  former  territory.  The  area  of  each  of  the  Mex- 
ican cessions  to  the  United  States  is  estimated  as  follow-: 

Square  mile*. 

Annexation  of  Texas 362,  187 

By  <  road&lupe-Hidslgo  treaty 522, 568 

By  <  radsden  treaty 45, 535 

Total 930, 590 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The  country  possesses  a  curious  physical  formation.  Rising  rapidly 
by  a  succession  of  terraces  from  the  low  sandy  coasts  on  the  east  and 
west,  it  culminates  in  a  central  plateau  running  in  a  northwesterly 
and  southeasterly  direction,  and  having  an  elevation   varying  from 

"Report  of  the  International  Boundary  Commission,  United  States  and  Mexico, 
1891-1896. 


OROGRAPHY.  9 

4,000  to  8,000  feet  above  the  sea.  High  above  this  plateau  tower  the 
snow-capped  crests  of  several  volcanoes,  most  of  which  are  extinct. 
The  highest  peaks  are  the  volcanoes  of  Popocatepetl,  17,540  feet;  the 
Orizaba  or  Citlaltepetl,  17,362  feet;  the  Ixtacihuatl,  16,076;  Toluca, 
15,019;  Coliraa,  11,363,  and  Ajusco,  13,628  feet,  besides  several  others 
varying-  from  1,000  to  13,000  feet  in  height." 

OROGRAPHY. 

Two  cordilleras,  or  high  mountain  ranges,  traverse  Mexico,  running 
almost  parallel  to  the  coast,  one  along  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the 
other  along  the  Pacific  coast.  The  former  runs  from  10  to  100  miles 
from  the  coast,  leaving  an  imperceptibly  inclined  plane  between  the 
sea  and  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  while  the  cordillera  on  the  Pacific  side 
runs  very  near  the  coast,  leaving  a  very  narrow  strip  of  land  between 
the  mountains  and  the  sea.  This  range  has  several  branches  running 
in  different  directions,  the  most  continuous  being  the  Sierra  Madre  of 
the  Pacific.  Parallel  to  this  last-named  range  is  the  Sierra  de  la 
Giganta  in  Lower  California,  which  slopes  abruptly  toward  the  east 
like  the  Atlantic  escarpments.  Corresponding  with  the  Sierra  Madre 
on  the  west  are  the  broken  eastern  scarps  of  the  central  plateau. 

The  cordillera  of  Anahuac,  which  surrounds  the  valleys  of  Teno- 
chtitlan  and  Puebla,  is  the  most  important  orographically  and  histor- 
ically of  the  central  cross  ridges  and  is  supposed  to  culminate  in 
Popocatepetl  and  Ixtacihuatl.  It  seems,  however,  that  these  volcanoes 
belong  to  a  more  recent  upheaval,  as  they  are  nearly  at  right  angles  to 
the  main  axis  of  the  central  plateau,  south  of  the  line  formed  by  the 
Orizaba  or  Citlaltepetl,  on  the  coast  south  of  Veracruz,  to  which  cor- 
respond, on  the  west,  the  Jorullo,  in  Michoacan,  Colima,  near  the 
coast  in  Jalisco  and  the  Revillagigedo  group  on  the  Pacific.  NearhT 
parallel  to  these  are  the  sierras  of  Guerrero  and  southeast  of  the  Isthmus 
of  Tehuantepec  those  of  Oaxaca  and  Chiapas  toward  the  frontier  of 
Guatemala.  In  the  course  of  time  these  mountains  have  become  dis- 
integrated by  rain  and  other  natural  causes,  and  the  filling  up  of  the 
spaces  between  them  has  formed  a  series  of  valleys  rich  in  agricultural 
resources.  These  valleys,  known  as  the  central  plateau,  run  for  about 
150  miles  east  of  the  Cit}r  of  Mexico,  in  a  northwesterly  direction. 
The  plateau  is  so  level  that  when  there  were  no  wagon  roads  in  Mexico 
one  could  travel  in  a  carriage  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  Santa  Fe. 
In  contrast  with  the  plains  and  the  at  times  barren  districts  of  the 
plateau,  the  territory  is  occasionally  broken  by  depressions  called 
"  barrancas,"  having  in  some  instances  a  depth  of  1,000  feet  and  being 
several  miles  in  length.  These  are  covered  with  a  luxurious  growth 
of  trees  and  shrubs  and  watered  by  small  streams  running  through  the 
middle  of  the  valley.     Among  the  most  remarkable  are  the  Barranca 

«See  table  on  pages  408-409,  Chapter  XIX. 


10  Ml-  XI  Co. 

de  Bertr&n,  on  the  western  slope  from  Guadalajara  to  Colima,and  the 
Mochitiltl  from  Guadalajara  to  Tepic. 

Coasts.  The  eastern  OOasI  of  Mexico,  bathed  by  the  Caribbean  Sea 
and  the  (  hllf  of  Mexico,  is  Hat.  low,  and  sandy,  except  near  the  month 
of  the  Tabasco  River,  where,  at  some  distance  from  the  coast,  appear 
the  heights  of  San  Gabriel,  extending  northeast  and  southwest  for 
several  miles.  The  coast  on  the  Pacific  side,  though  generally  low.  is 
here  and  there  broken  by  spurs  extending  from  the  cordilleras  to  the 
ocean. 

Gulfs  <ni<l  hays.  The  principal  gulfs  are  those  of  Mexico.  Cali- 
fornia, and  the  Gulf  of  Tclmantepcc,  the  first  named  ranking  among 
the  largest  in  the  world.  The  only  bays  worthy  of  notice  are  those  of 
Guaymas,  Santa  Barbara,  Topolobampo,  and  Navachiste,  in  the  Gulf 
of  California;  Conception,  La  Paz.  and  Muleje  on  the  wot  coast  of 
the  same  gulf;  San  Quintfn,  Magdalena,  and  Ajnejas,  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  in  Lower  California,  and  San  Bias,  and  Valle  de  Banderas  on 
the  coast  of  Tepic. 

Lakes. — The  largest  lake  on  Mexican  territory  is  the  Chapala  Lake, 
measuring  over  80  miles  in  length  by  30  in  breadth.  The  Valley  of 
Mexico  has  seven  lakes,  one  fresh  and  six  salt  water,  the  three  largest 
being  Chalco,  Xochimilco,  and  Texcoco.  The  other  lakes  in  Mexico 
are  Catemaco,  in  the  State  of  Veracruz;  Cariel  and  Carpintero,  in  the 
State  of  Tamaulipas;  Encantado,  in  Tabasco;  Bacalor,  in  Yucatan; 
Alcuzague,  in  Colima;  Cuitze*o, Tacascuaro,  and  Patzcuaro, in  Michoa- 
can;  Yuriria,  in  Guanajuato,  and  Metztitlan  in  Hidalgo. 

Islands.—  Mexico  has  a  great  many  islands  near  the  coasts,  none  of 
them  very  large  and  most  of  theui  uninhabited,  although  some  are  of 
great  fertility  and  are  capable  of  supporting  a  large  population. 
Among  the  most  important  are  Kl  Carmen,  the  largest  in  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico;  San  Juan  de  I'lna  and  Sacrificios,  opposite  the  port  of  Vera- 
cruz; Mujeres,  in  the  Caribbean  Sea;  Guadalupe,  about  75  miles  from 
the  west  coast  of  Lower  (  'alifornia;  Tres  Marias,  a  group  off  the  same 
coast:  the  Revillagigedo  group,  near  the  coast  of  Colimas  and  Alcatraz 
Island,  not  far  from  the  coast  of  the  State  of  Michoacan. 

HYDROGRAPHY. 

The  principal  rivers  of  Mexico  are  the  Kio  Grande,  1,500  miles  long, 
forming,  from  El  Paso,  Tex.,  to  the  sea,  the  boundary  line  between 
the  United  States  and  Mexico;  the  Lerma  or  Santiago,  r>4<»  miles  long; 
the  Mescala  or  Balsas,  426  miles  in  length;  the  Yaqui,  390  miles;  the 
Grijalva,  350  miles:  the  Fuerte,  340  miles;  the  Usumancita,  330  miles, 
and  several  others.  The  topographical  conditions  of  the  country  are 
such  as  to  cause  the  streams,  in  their  progress  toward  the  sea,  to  be 
continually  precipitated  in  the  form  of  cascades,  etc..  thus  rendering 
navigation  exceedingly  difficult  on  account  of  their  varying  depths, 


GEOLOGY.  11 

but  greathT  facilitating-  their  availability  for  motive  power.  The  Rio 
Grande  rises  in  Colorado  (United  States  of  North  America),  passes 
through  New  Mexico,  and  by  the  time  it  reaches  Mexican  territory 
is  almost  dry,  as  the  inhabitants  of  both  States  have  utilized  the 
greater  portion  of  its  waters  for  irrigation  purposes.  After  passing 
Presidio  del  Norte  (Ojinaga),  the  river  Conchos  and  other  tributaries 
supply  the  Grande  with  water,  thus  enlarging  its  stream,  though  never 
to  the  extent  attained  before  its  passage  through  Colorado  and  New 
Mexico.  The  Mescala  or  Balsas  River  rises  in  the  central  plateau, 
near  the  Valley  of  Mexico,  passes  through  the  State  of  Puebla  to  the 
southwest,  and  empties  into  the  Pacific  at  Zacatula.  This  river  is  nav- 
igable for  a  short  distance  along  its  lower  reaches;  above  the  bar  it  is 
accessible  to  small  craft.  The  Panuco  River  rises  north  of  the  Valley 
of  Mexico,  and  under  the  names  of  Tula  and  Montezuma  it  describes 
a  vast  semicircular  bend  toward  the  west  across  the  Hidalgo  uplands 
and  receives  the  streams  of  the  Huasteca  of  Veracruz  and  Tamaulipas, 
beyond  which  it  is  joined  b}7  the  various  streams  flowing  from  Quere- 
taro,  and  finally  empties  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  at  the  port  of  Tam- 
pico,  which  is  at  present  the  best  harbor  on  the  Gulf  coast.  The  River 
Lerma,  or  Santiago,  is  also  a  considerable  stream.  It  rises  in  the 
mountains  southwest  of  Toluca,  passes  through  the  Lake  of  Chapala, 
which  it  leaves  under  the  name  of  Guadalajara,  changing  again  its 
name  to  Tololotlan  and  Santiago  before  it  empties  near  San  Bias,  hav- 
ing received  the  waters  of  many  tributaries.  The  Grijalva  and  Usu- 
macinta  rivers  rise  in  the  State  of  Chiapas,  and,  after  being  joined  by 
many  streams  coming  from  Guatemala,  empty  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
at  the  city  of  Frontera,  in  the  State  of  Tabasco.  The  Papaloapam 
rises  in  the  State  of  Oaxaca,  passes  through  the  State  of  Veracruz,  and 
empties  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  at  the  town  of  Alvarado,  a  few  miles 
south  of  Veracruz.  There  are  also  several  other  rivers  more  or  less 
important.  In  all,  there  are  in  Mexico  95  streams  worthy  of  mention, 
their  total  extent  being  32,400  kilometers,  10,000  of  which  are  nav- 
igable for  ships  of  great  draft,  1,800  for  canoes  and  small  steamers 
not  exceeding  3  feet  in  draft,  and  the  remaining  10,600  kilometers 
are  useless  for  navigation,  but  suitable  for  irrigating  purposes  and  in 
many  cases  for  motive  power. 

GEOLOGY. 

"  The  geolog}7  of  Mexico0  has  been  but  imperfectly  studied.  In  the 
higher  ranges  the  prevailing  formations  are  granite,  which  seem  also 
to  form  the  foundations  of  the  plateaus,  above  which  rise  the  traps, 
basalts,  mineral-bearing  porphyries,  and  more  recent  lavas.  Hence 
Lyell's  theory  that  Mexico  consisted  originally  of  granite  ranges  with 

« Coffee  and  India-rubber  culture  in  Mexico;  Matias  Romero.  New  York,  1898, 
p.  12. 


12  m  i:\no. 

intervening  valleys  subsequently  filled  up  to  the  level  of  the  plateaus 
l>y  subterranean  eruption-,  [gneous  rock-  of  every  geologic  epoch 
certainly  form  to  a  large  extent  the  superstructure  of  the  central 
plateau.  Bui  the  Mexican  table-land  seems  to  consist  mainly  of  meta- 
morphic  formations  which  have  been  partly  upheaved,  partly  inter- 
penetrated and  overlaid  by  igneous  masses  of  all  epochs  and  which  are 
chiefly  represented  by  shales,  greywacke,  greenstones,  silicious  Bchists, 
and  especially  unfossiliferous  lime-tones.  All  these  formations  are 
alike  remarkable  for  the  abundance  and  variety  of  their  metalliferous 
ore-,  such  as  silver,  silver  glance,  copper,  and  gold.  Gneiss  and 
micaceous  -dusts  prevail  in  Oaxaca  and  on  all  the  southern  -lopes 
facing  both  ocean-.  Hut  the  highest  ranges  are  formed  mainly  of 
plutonic  and  volcanic  rocks,  such  as  granites,  syenites,  diorites, 
mineral-bearing  trachytes,  basalts,  porphyries,  obsidian,  pearlstone. 
sulphur,  pumice,  lava.-,  tufa,  and  other  recent  volcanic  discharges. 
Obsidian  (itzli)  was  the  chief  material  formerly  used  by  the  natives  in 
the  manufacture  of  their  cutting  implements,  as  shown  by  the  quarries 
of  the  Cerro  de  las  Navajas  (Knife  Cliff),  near  Real  did  Monte  and 
Pachuca,  in  the  State  of  Hidalgo.  Vast  deposits  of  pumice  and  the 
purest  sulphur  are  found  at  lluichapam  and  in  many  of  the  crater-. 
But  immeasurably  the  most  valuable  rocks  are  the  argentiferous 
porphyries  and  schists  of  the  central  plateau  and  of  Sinaloa,  unless 
they  are  destined  to  be  rivaled  by  the  auriferous  deposits  of  Sonora. 
Horizontal  and  stratified  rocks,  of  extremely  limited  extent  in  the 
south,  are  largely  developed  in  the  northern  States  and  chalk  becomes 
very  prevalent  toward  the  Rio  Grande  and  Rio  Gila  valleys.  To  this 
chalk  and  to  the  sandstone  are  probably  due  the  sandy  plains  which 
cover  vast  tracks  in  North  Mexico,  stretching  thence  far  into  New 
Mexico  and  Texas.  Hence,  the  Bolson  de  Mapimi.  a  vast  rocky  wilder- 
ness inhabited  until  recently  by  wild  tribes,  occupies  a  space  of  per- 
haps 50,000  square  miles  in  Coahuila  and  parts  of  the  surrounding 
State-. 

"None  of  the  horizontal  layers  seem  to  be  very  rich  in  ores,  which 
are  mainly  found  in  the  metamorphic,  Paleozoic,  and  hypogene  rocks 
of  Durango,  Chihuahua,  and  the  south.  Apart  from  Sinaloa  and 
Sonora,  which  are  now  known  to  contain  vast  stores  of  the  precious 
metals,  nearly  all  the  historical  mines  lie  on  the  south  central  plateau 
at  elevations  of  from  5,500  to  9,500  feet.  A  line  drawn  from  the 
capital  to  Guanajuato,  and  thence  northward  to  the  mining  town  of 
Guadalupe  y  Calvo  of  Chihuahua,  and  southward  to  Oaxaca,  thus 
cutting  the  main  axis  of  upheaval  at  an  angle  of  45-,  will  intersect 
probably  the  richest  known  argentiferous  region  in  the  whole  world. 

"Of  other  minerals  the  most  important  are  copper,  found  in  a  pure 
state  near  the  city  of  Guanajuato,  and  associated  with  gold  in  Chi- 
huahua. Sonora.  Guerrero.  Jalisco.  Michoacan,  and  elsewhere;  iron 
in  immense  masses  in  Michoacan  and  Jalisco  and  in  Durango,  where 


CLIMATOLOGY.  13 

the  Cerro  del  Mercado  is  a  solid  mountain  of  magnetic  iron  ore;  lead 
associated  with  silver,  chiefly  in  Oaxaca;  tin  in  Michoacan  and  Jalisco; 
sulphur  in  many  craters;  platinum,  recently  found  in  Hidalgo;  cinna- 
bar, also  recently  found  in  Morelos  and  Guerrero;  'steppe  salt1  in  the 
sandy  districts  of  the  north;  'bitter  salt'  at  Tepayac  and  many  other 
places;  coal  at  various  points;  bismuth  in  many  parts,  marble,  ala- 
baster, gypsum,  and  rock  salt  in  great  abundance  throughout  the 
plateaus  and  sierra." 

CLIMATOLOGY. a 

The  geographical  position  of  Mexico  gives  it  a  great  diversity  of 
climate.  The  heat  of  the  torrid  zone  is  experienced  on  the  seacoast 
and  the  low.  marshy  tracts  bordering  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  in 
the  valleys  shut  in  by  mountains  3,000  feet  above  sea  level.  The 
night  breezes,  however,  bring  compensation  for  the  heat  of  the  da}T, 
and  the  rains,  which  begin  usually  in  June  and  last  until  November, 
are  so  abundant  and  fall  so  regularly  that  the}7"  refresh  the  atmosphere 
and  are  the  main  reliance  of  the  agriculturist.  So  decided  is  the  effect 
of  the  rains  on  the  atmosphere  that  the  seasons  are  divided  into  two 
only,  viz,  the  rainy  and  the  dry  season.  Trees  are  never  entirely 
denuded  of  their  foliage,  but  as  each  leaf  falls  through  age  it  is  imme- 
diately replaced  b}T  another,  thus  the  bare  autumnal  limbs  incident  to 
northern  climes  are  unknown. 

The  differences  in  climate,  dependent  upon  the  different  degrees  of 
altitude,  are  so  great  in  Mexico  that  the  vegetable  products  of  the 
country  embrace  all  that  can  be  found  between  the  Equator  and  the 
Polar  Circle. 

The  mean  temperature  in  the  hot  regions  varies  from  77°  to  82°  F., 
and  often  rises  to  100°,  and  in  some  coast  localities  to  105°. 

The  temperate  zone  lies  between  3,000  and  5,000  feet  above  sea 
level.  Here  the  mean  temperature  is  from  62°  to  70°  F. ,  the  varia- 
tion during  the  season  being  not  more  than  4°  or  5°.  This  ma}T  be 
called  the  region  of  eternal  spring.  Semitropical  productions  have 
their  homes  here,  mingled  with  the  products  of  both  the  tropical  and 
cold  regions.  In  this  privileged  region  both  extremes  of  heat  and 
cold  are  unknown  and  in  it  are  found  several  cities,  among  others 
Jalapa  and  Huatusco,  in  the  State  of  Veracruz,  Chilpancingo  in 
Guerrero,  and  Ameca  in  Jalisco.  There  are  farms  here  where  wheat 
and  sugar  cane  grow  on  the  same  parcel  of  ground. 

Between  7,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea  and  greater  heights 
lies  the  cold  region,  having  a  main  temperature  of  from  59°  to  60°  F. 
Here  the  rainfall  is  live  times  less  than  in  the  temperate  zone.  The 
changes  of  temperature  are  but  small  from  one  end  of  the  year  to  the 
other,  although  the  diurnal  changes  between  sunrise  and  sunset  are 
often  considerable. 

«  See  table  on  page  410,  Chapter  XIX. 


14  MEXICO. 

The  climatic  conditions  of  Mexico  arc  undergoing  great  changes  on 

account  of  the  destruction  <>t'  the  forests.  Rains  were  formerly  very 
abundant  and  the  atmosphere  very  moist,  the  country  being  covered 
with  thick  forests,  but  with  the  difficulty  experienced  in  transporting 
the  coal  of  the  country,  the  population  has  had  to  depend  entirely  for 
their  supply  of  fuel  upon  charcoal,  thus  denuding  the  mountains  and 
changing  very  materially  the  climatic  conditions  of  some  regions.  The 
case  is  different,  however,  in  the  lowlands,  which  are  sparsely  popu- 
lated and  where  the  country  is  still  so  thickly  wooded  that  passage 
through  them  is  impossible  unless  a  path  is  made  by  felling  large  trees 
and  clearing  away  the  underbrush  and  weeds.  In  these  regions  mahog- 
any, cedar,  rosewood,  etc..  abound. 

The  most  thickly  populated  region  lies  in  the  central  plateau,  high 
above  sea  level,  and  so  well  protected  from  the  winds  and  storms  by 
mountains  that  the  climate  is  even,  temperate,  and  delightful.  The 
late  "Mr.  Romero,  from  whose  work.  "  Mexico  and  the  United  State-."*  ■ 
much  valuable  data  have  been  procured  in  the  preparation  of  this 
work,  makes  the  following  remark  (p.  37):  "The  impression  prevails 
in  the  United  States  that  Mexico,  lying  to  the  south  and  running 
toward  the  Equator, must  be  much  warmer  than  this  country,  but  this 
is  not  so.  Even  in  warm  places,  like  the  low  lands  on  the  coast,  we  do 
not  have  the  extreme  hot  weather  that  is  experienced  in  summer  in 
the  United  States.  The  sea  breezes  refresh  the  atmosphere  at  eight 
and  cool  it  considerably,  making,  therefore,  a  very  great  contrast 
with  the  summer  heat  in  this  country.  The  medium  climate  of  the 
valley  of  Mexico,  for  instance,  which  is  the  one  that  has  been  best 
observed  and  understood,  varies  comparatively  little  between  summer 
and  winter,  its  greatest  variations  being  between  day  and  night  on  the 
same  day." 

It  may  be  said  that  the  climate  of  Mexico,  if  not  the  most  invigor- 
ating  is.  without  doubt,  one  of  the  most  delightful  in  the  world.  The 
region  of  temperate  lands  and  oceanic  slopes  enjoys  a  perpetual 
spring,  being  exposed  neither  to  the  severity  of  the  northern  winter 
season  nor  to  the  extreme  of  summer  heat. 

FLORA. 

The  flora  of  Mexico  is  unrivaled.  It  has  been  remarked  that  the 
most  striking  characteristic  of  the  Mexican  flowers  is  their  rich  color. 
The  prevailing  hue  of  the  flowers  is  always  rich  and  brilliant.  There 
can  be  no  more  pleasing  or  extensive  field  for  the  botanist  than  the 
tropical  forests  of  Mexico,  in  whose  deep  shades  bloom  the  most 
exquisitely  tinted  flowers  and  orchids.  In  the  vicinity  of  Orizaba,  a 
locality  almost  incomparable  as  regards  the  great  variety  of  flowers, 
orchid  collectors  may  find  a  paradise. 

a  Published  by  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons.  New  York,  1898. 


FAUNA.  15 

In  the  valley  of  Mexico  there  is  no  day  in  the  year  that  finds  the 
markets  wanting  in  beautiful  roses  and  flowers  to  delight  the  eye  and 
regale  the  senses,  and  the  marvelous  size  the  calla  lilies,  heliotrope, 
camelias,  and  poppies  attain  arrests  wondering  attention.  There  are 
about  50  varieties  of  lilies  blooming  in  varied  garb  in  this  valley. 
Each  belt — the  hot,  the  temperate,  and  the  cold — displays  its  own 
peculiar  varieties  of  flowers,  and  in  each  has  nature  spread  her  most 
gorgeous  colors,  her  fairest  tints,  and  her  sweetest  perfumes. 

The  arboreal  vegetation  of  the  country  embraces  111  different  species 
of  building  and  cabinet  woods,  among  them  being  the  pine,  oak,  fir, 
cedar,  mahogairy,  rosewood,  ironwood,  etc.;  12  kinds  of  dyewoods;  8 
of  resinous  trees — the  cacao  and  india  rubber,  copal,  liquid  amber, 
camphor,  turpentine,  mesquite,  dragon's  blood,  and  the  mastic.  There 
are  IT  varieties  of  oil-bearing  trees  and  plants,  among  which  are  the 
olive,  almond,  sesame,  flax,  cocoa,  palm,  Peruvian  balsam,  etc. 

The  country  is  especially  rich  in  medicinal  plants,  there  being  no 
less  than  59  classified  species  of  these,  and  many  more  still  unclassified. 

Fibrous  plants  abound  and  their  products  form  a  large  proportion 
of  the  export  trade.  The  best-known  fibers  are  the  heniquen  or  sisal 
hemp,  the  ixtle,  pita,  maguey,  jute,  flax,  ramie,  aloe,  and  cotton. 

Of  Mexican  fruits  and  tobacco  so  much  has  been  written  that  it  is 
only  necessary  to  say  that  through  the  diversified  climate  of  that 
favored  land  it  enjo}rs  the  fruits  of  every  clime,  and  that  these  reach 
perfection  in  size  and  taste.  The  varieties  are  infinite.  There  are  no 
less  than  twenty  kinds  of  bananas.  At  the  Philadelphia  Commercial 
Museum,  Mexico  had  on  exhibition  1,036  samples  of  her  woods,  18  of 
dyewoods  and  substances,  68  of  gums  and  resins,  360  of  medicinal 
plants,  and  152  of  textile  fibers.  A  great  quantity  of  red  cedar  is  ex- 
ported from  the  State  of  Veracruz  to  the  United  States  for  the  manu- 
facture of  cigar  boxes.  There  is  a  sawmill  in  this  State,  owned  by  a 
German,  which  is  engaged  in  cutting  up  red  cedar  logs  for  such  use, 
having  a  capacity  of  4,000'tons  of  lumber  a  year.  At  the  Tennessee 
Centennial  Exposition  there  were  exhibited  some  bamboos  from  the 
State  of  Veracruz  10  feet  in  length.  The  local  name  for  these  giant 
bamboos  is  "  tarros. 

FAUNA. 

The  animal  kingdom  is  almost  as  extensively  represented  in  the  ter- 
ritory of  Mexico  as  the  botanical.  There  are  three  species  of  large 
felida? — the  puma,  jaguar,  and  ocelot.  Wolves,  coyotes,  and  wildcats 
are  numerous  in  the  northern  States.  A  specie  of  sloth  inhabits  the 
southern  forests,  which  also  contain  five  varieties  of  monkeys.  Other 
wild  animals  are  beavers,  moles,  martens,  and  otters.  The  armadillo 
and  iguana  are  very  common,  and  are  used  by  some  of  the  natives  as 
food.  Venomous  serpents  and  noxious  insects  lurk  in  the  forests  of 
the  hot  lands.     The  mountains  and  foothills  present  a  veritable  para- 


Hi  MEXICO. 

dise  to  the  Bportsman  dc  >r,  bare,  rabbits,  quail,  wild  pigeons,  par- 
tridges, and  an  infinite  variety  of  birds  and  ground  game  abounding. 
Horses,  cattle,  sheep,  and  goats  are  found  almost  everywhere,  and  are 
the  source  of  much  wealth  and  industry. 

The  birds  of  Mexico  arc  far  famed  for  their  brilliant  plumage  and 
singing  qualities.  In  the  hot  lands  the  birds  are  more  distinguished 
for  beauty  of  plumage  than  melody  of  voice,  their  coloring  being  as 
varied  as  that  of  the  flowers;  but  in  the  colder  belts  splendid  songsters 
till  the  air  with  thrilling  notes,  A  list  of  the  feathered  inhabitants  of 
the  country  includes  353  species. 

Sperm  and  grayback  whales,  seals,  and  sea  lions  abound  in  the 
western  waters  of  Lower  California  and  in  the  gulf  of  that  name. 
The  waters  of  both  coasts,  as  well  as  the  rivers  and  mountain  streams, 
teem  with  a  great  variety  of  fish."  Alligators  infest  the  river  mouths 
of  both  coasts.  Turtles  of  all  kinds  are  also  found  in  abundance  on 
the  coasts.  Tortoises  exist  in  the  waters  of  Yucatan  and  Lower  Cali- 
fornia, as  well  as  on  the  coasts  of  Sinaloa.  The  shell  is  an  important 
article  of  export,  amounting  to  about  $20,000  a  year.  Near  La  Paz, 
in  the  Gulf  of  California,  extensive  beds  of  pearl  oysters  exist. 

Senor  Don  Antonio  Garcia  Cubas*  mentions  52  varieties  of  mammal 
quadrupeds  as  existing  in  the  Republic,  and  203  varieties  of  fowls, 
including  domestic  fowls,  as  well  as  over  50  kinds  of  humming  birds. 
differing  in  color  and  shape  and  forming  a  chromatic  scale  of  brilliant 
tints,  running  from  sea  green  through  bluish  green  to  emerald  green, 
and  from  the  lightest  straw7  color  to  the  deepest  scarlet  and  fiery  reel. 
Of  reptiles  the  authority  cited  enumerates  43  (lasses,  and  of  batrachians 
13  species. 

Among  insects,  those  claiming  attention  are  the  cochineal  (Coccus 
cacti)  and  the  honey  bee,  because  of  the  excellent  materials  they  pro- 
duce beneficial  to  industry  and  to  commerce.  The  former  insect  is 
cultivated  in  Oaxaca,  living  on  the  prickly-pear  cactus,  and  producing 
a  red  liquid  dye.  Winterbotham,  one  of  the  last  century's  historians, 
in  his  history  of  America,  relates  that  the  trade  in  cochineal  by  the 
<ity  of  Oaxaca  alone  in  the  year  L796  amounted  to  200,000  crown-  in 
value. 

The  bee  is  to  be  found  all  over  Mexico,  busily  producing  great 
quantities  of  honey  and  wax. 

The  silkworm,  although  comparatively  neglected,  is  said  to  yield  an 
annual  profit  of  £40.000. 

The  country  offers  a  vast  and  rich  field  to  the  naturalist  and  ento- 
mologist for  the  study  of  the  innumerable  species  of  coleopter,  there 
being  no  less  than  77,000  of  these  catalogued. 

"Since  1891  the  Government  has  devoted  much  attention  to  pisciculture.  It 
established  fish  hatcheries  and  introduced  large  quantities  of  carp,  trout,  and  salmon 
trout. 

6  Los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos,  1893 — Mexico. 


CHAPTER  II. 

HISTORICAL,  SKETCH. 

An  impenetrable  mist  of  fable  envelops  the  early  history  of  Mexico. 
Scientific  investigation  and  archeological  research  have  not  yet  lifted 
the  veil  to  disclose  the  original  inhabitants  of  that  country.  Ruins 
and  hieroglyphics  in  different  portions  of  the  Republic  reveal  the  story 
of  a  series  of  immigrations  from  the  north  toward  the  south,  but  the 
point  from  which  the  movement  began  has  not  been  determined. 

Mexican  historians  generally  agree,  founding  their  theories  on  the 
interpretations  of  hieroglyphics  and  upon  the  ancient  ruins,  that  the 
country  was  invaded  by  seven  families  successively  immigrating  from 
the  north,  all  speaking  the  same  language,  the  Nahuatl  or  Mexican; 
but  history  does  not  reveal  the  starting  point  of  these  races  nor  dis- 
close the  mystery  of  the  multiplicity  of  languages  of  so  diverse  a 
character  spoken  b}r  the  many  tribes  that  followed  them,  nor  the 
causes  that  impelled  them  to  abandon  their  former  homes.  According 
to  the  Mexican  scholar  Pimentel,  not  one  of  the  108  indigenous  tongues 
bears  any  analogy  to  Asiatic  tongues,  but  certain  resemblances  to 
the  language  of  the  Esquimaux  would  indicate  direct  communication 
between  Asia  and  America. 

The  annals  of  the  Toltecs  have  furnished  a  starting  point  for  the 
history  of  Mexico.  These  composed  a  semicivilized  nation  who  inhab- 
ited a  country  called  Huehuetlappallan,  toward  the  north  of  the  con- 
tinent, where  they  built  cities  and  temples  and  were  versed  in 
agriculture,  the  arts,  and  the  computation  of  time.  Owing  to  civil 
disturbances,  the  Toltecs,  with  a  number  of  their  partisans  and  neigh- 
bors, in  the  year  5-14  A.  D.,  were  expelled  from  their  country  and 
began  their  wanderings  southward,  founding  cities  on  their  way. 

One  hundred  and  seventeen  years  after  leaving  their  country  they 
reached  the  present  site  of  Tula  (50  miles  north  of  the  City  of  Mexico, 
on  the  line  of  the  Mexican  Central  Railroad),  where  they  laid  the 
foundation  of  their  powerful  kingdom.  This  tribe  remained  here 
until  overthrown  by, the  "lords  of  Jalisco,"  in  1116,  eleven  "mon- 
archs"  having  reigned. 

There  is  a  notable  event  in  the  history  of  the  Toltecs  which  deserves 
mention,  as  it  is  well  authenticated.  It  is  the  origin  of  the  universal 
and  famous  Mexican  beverage  pulque  in  the  reign  of  the  eighth  Toltec 

509  a— 04 2  17 


18  MEXICO. 

chief.  Tepaucaltzin,  in  the  latter  half  <>i*  the  eleventh  century.  It  is 
aarrated  that  a  noble  named  Papantzin  discovered  the  method  of 
extracting  the  juice  of  the  maguey  plant,  of  which  it  is  made,  and  sent 
some  of  the  fermented  liquid  to  his  chief  by  the  hand  of  his  daughter, 

the  beautiful  Xochitl,  called  the  Flower  of  Tollan  (Tula).  The  chief. 
enamored  both  of  the  drink  and  the  maiden,  retained  the  latter  a  will- 
ing prisoner,  and  she  became  the  mother  of  his  illegitimate  son.  who 
afterwards  wielded  the  scepter.  This  incident  inaugurated  the  troubles 
of  the  Toltecs. 

After  the  dispersion  of  the  Toltecs.  a  roving  tribe,  the  Chichimecas, 
hearing  of  the  former's  overthrow,  occupied  the  abandoned  country, 
starting  for  it  from  the  north  in  1117. 

Other  tribes  of  the  original  seven  successively  descended  from  the 
north  and  spread  themselves  over  the  valley  of  Mexico,  founding  cities 
and  erecting  temples  and  palaces. 

The  last  tribe  to  reach  the  valley  was  the  Aztec,  or  Mexican,  whose 
annals  claim  the  greatesl  interest  in  the  history  of  Mexico.  This  tribe 
is  supposed  to  have  originally  come  from  the  north  of  California, 
according  to  the  historian  Clavijero,  their  country  being  called  Aztlan. 
They  reached  Tula  in  L196,  remaining  there  nine  year-,  and  spending 
eleven  in  other  parts  of  the  valley.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time 
they  arrived  in  Zumpango,  30  miles  north  of  their  future  capital. 
Here  they  were  well  received,  and  the  chief's  son  married  a  daughter 
of  one  of  the  Mexican  families.  From  this  marriage  sprang  the  mili- 
tary chiefs  of  the  Mexicans. 

After  many  wanderings  they  settled  on  the  marshy  islands  near  the 
western  borders  of  Lake  Texcoco,  and  there,  in  the  year  L325,  was 
established  the  nucleus  of  the  city  first  called  Tenocht  it  Ian.  derived, 
according  to  some  authorities,  from  Tenoch.  one  of  their  priests  and 
leaders.  Other  authorities  claim  that  the  name  comes  from  Tenuch 
(prickly-pear  cactus),  as  there  is  an  old  legend  that  the  leaders  of  the 
tribes  of  Mexicans,  wandering  in  search  of  a  place  of  rest,  saw  an 
eagle  standing  upon  a  cactus  strangling  a  serpent  on  the  site  of  the 
City  of  Mexico.  This  legend  has  been  generally  accepted,  and  gave 
Mexico  the  design  for  its  escutcheon.  The  present  name  of  the  city 
finds  its  s,,urce  in  the  name  of  the  Aztec's  god  of  war  Mexitli,  also 
known  as  Iluitzilopochtli.  The  name  of  the  country  demonstrates  the 
hold  the  maguey  plant  had  upon  the  ancient  tribes.  Mexican  tradi- 
tions, as  preserved  in  the  most  ancient  writings,  relate  that  this  god 
Huitzilopochtli  was  born  of  a  virgin  belonging  to  the  noble  family  of 
Citli  (free  and  ancestral);  that  his  cradle  was  the  heart  of  a  maguey 
plant  (metl),  and  hence  the  name  of  Mecitli.  afterwards  changed  into 
Mexitli,  and  finally  into  Mexico. 

Here  the  Aztecs  constituted  their  first  government,  which  was  theo- 
cratic and  military,  under  Tenoch.  who  died  in  the  year  1343,     Three 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  19 

years  subsequent  to  his  death  the  form  of  government  changed,  and 
in  1376  the  first  king  was  elected.  Ten  kings  followed,  during  the 
reign  of  which  the  Aztecs  devoted  themselves  to  the  arts  of  peace  and 
built  a  fine  city,  connecting  it  with  the  mainland  by  four  causeways. 
The  last  of  the  Aztec  monarch s  was  Cuauhtemoc,  whose  conquest  by 
Hernando  Cortes  brought  an  end  to  the  Mexican  dynasty. 

Cortes  landed  on  the  island  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua,  in  Veracruz  Har- 
bor, on  the  21st  day  of  April,  1519,  and  in  two  years,  August  13, 1521, 
had  captured  the  Cit}'  of  Mexico  and  unfurled  the  flag  of  Spain  over 
the  palace  of  Moctezuma. 

Under  the  name  of  New  Spain,  Mexico  was  ruled  from  1521  to  1821 
successively  by  five  governors,  two  roj-al  commissioners  (audiencias), 
and  sixty-two  viceroys,  the  last  of  whom,  Juan  CKDonoju,  did  not 
assume  control. 

During  the  administration  of  the  first  viceroy,  Don  Antonio  de  Men- 
doza,  who  ruled  from  1535  to  1550,  discoveries  were  activeh"  prosecuted 
in  the  north,  the  first  money  was  coined  in  Mexico,  the  University  of 
Mexico  and  several  colleges  were  founded,  and  the  first  printing  press 
in  the  New  World  was  introduced.  The  School  of  Mines,  which  is 
still  standing,  and  yearly  graduating  talented  men,  was  founded  by 
the  viceroy  the-  Marquis  of  Branciforte.  The  construction  was  begun 
in  1797,  and  the  building  was  completed  in  1813.  Its  total  cost  was 
about  $2,000,000. 

The  modern  history  of  Mexico  and  the  commencement  of  the  almost 
continuous  internecine  wars  may  be  said  to  dat-e  from  the  '"grito  de 
Dolores"  on  the  night  of  the  16th  of  September,  1810,  b}^  the  parish 
priest  of  Dolores,  Don  Miguel  Hidalgo  y  Costilla,  who  gathered  about 
him  many  trusty  followers  under  his  banner  to  the  cry  of :  "Long 
live  religion!  Long  live  our  Most  Holy  Mother  of  Guadalupe!  Long 
live  America,  and  death  to  bad  government!"  This  cry  is  what  is 
known  as  uel  grito  de  Dolores." 

Several  efforts  to  cause  a  rebellion  against  the  Spanish  authorities 
had  been  made  previous  to  this  date,  in  fact  ever  since  17(.*S.  during 
the  incumbency  of  the  forty-fifth  viceroy.  Miguel  Jose  de  Azanza, 
but  they  were  all  suppressed. 

Hidalgo  marshaled  a  considerable  force  and  was  victorious  in 
several  engagements,  but  he  and  his  lieutenants — Allende,  Aldama, 
and  Jimenez — were  captured  and  put  to  death  in  1811,  the  first  on  the 
31st  of  July  and  the  three  last-named  on  June  26.  The  bullets  that 
crashed  through  these  patriotic  breasts  terminated  the  first  stage  of 
the  war  for  independence. 

One  of  the  greatest  figures  in  Mexican  history  then  came  to  the 
front.  Jose  Maria  Morelos  y  Pavon,  the  parish  priest  of  Caracuaro, 
who  by  his  audacity,  valor,  and  military  sagacity  was  accorded  a  posi- 
tion at  the  head  of  the  leaders  of  the  cause  of  independence.     After 


20  MEXICO. 

many  notable  engagements,  in  which  he  was  almost  always  notorious, 
hf  captured  A.capulco  on  April  L2,  L813,  thus  ending  his  second  cam- 
paign. On  the  14th  of  September,  L813,  in  the  town  of  Chilpancingo, 
the  first  Mexican  Congress  was  installed,  which  two  months  later 
(November  6)  issued  the  declaration  of  independence  and  decreed  the 
emancipation  of  the  slaves.  The  first  provisional  constitution  was 
adopted  October  22,  L814. 

Moivlos  was  eventually  overcome  by  being  betrayed  by  a  deserter 
from  bis  ranks  named  Carranco,  was  taken  to  Mexico,  tried,  and  sen- 
tenced to  be  shot.  The  sentence  was  carried  out  at  San  Cristobal 
Kcatepec  on  the  22d  of  December.  1815. 

But  the  cause  of  independence  was  still  sustained  by  many  leaders 
in  different  parts  of  the  Republic,  among  them  being  Francisco  Javier 
Mina.  a  Spanish  officer,  who  resolved  to  do  battle  for  the  independ- 
ence of  Mexico.  He  disembarked  at  the  port  of  Soto  la  Marina  on 
April  15,  1817.  with  500  men  recruited  in  the  United  States,  and 
marched  rapidly  into  the  interior,  gaining  many  victories.  He  was 
apprehended  at  the  ranch  called  Venadito,  and  was  shot  the  11th  of 
November.  1817.  Many  other  patriot  chiefs  arose  to  lead  the  inde- 
pendent movement,  but  most  of  them  met  the  fate  of  their  predeces- 
sors. Among  these  was  Guerrero,  who.  after  many  hazardous  exploits 
and  brilliant  achievements,  finally,  on  the  loth  of  January.  Ls21.  held 
a  conference  with  Agustin  de  Yturbide,  brigadier-general  in  command 
of  the  royalist  forces,  at  Yturbide's  request,  and  the  two  leaders  agreed 
to  proclaim  independence.  The  latter  proclaimed  what  is  known  as 
"The  Plan  of  Iguala."  on  February  24,  L821. 

Yturbide.  then  assuming  command  of  the  forces,  marched  on 
Mexico,  making  Valladolid  (now  Morelia).  Queretaro.  and  Puebla 
capitulate  on  the  way.  On  reaching  Mexico  the  Viceroy  A.podaca 
was  deposed  July  5,  L821. 

The  sixty-second  and  last  viceroy,  Juan  O'Donojii.  arrived  at  Vera- 
cruz on  the  30th  of  July.  and.  upon  hearing  of  the  condition  of  affairs, 
issued  a  proclamation  and  entered  into  communication  with  the  inde- 
pendents. Yturbide  went  to  Cordoba,  where  a  conference  was  held, 
resulting  in  the  treaty  of  Cordoba,  which,  with  slight  modifications, 
confirmed  t  he  plan  of  Iguala.  and  Spanish  domination  in  Mexico,  which 
had  lasted  three  hundred  years,  closed  forever  when,  on  the  27th  of 
September.  1821,  Yturbide  made  his  triumphal  entry  into  the  capital. 

The  second  Mexican  Congress,  the  first  after  securing  independence, 
met  on  February  24,  L822,  and  elected  Yturbide  Emperor  on  the  19th 
of  May  of  the  same  year.  He  was  crowned  and  anointed  with  great 
pomp  and  ceremony  in  the  great  cathedral  of  the  capital  on  the  21st 
of  June  following  as  Agustin  I,  Emperor  of  Mexico.  His  reign  was 
short.     The  people  who  had  been  warring  so  long  could  not  settle 


22  MEXICO. 

Maximilian,  berefl  of  the  aid  and  protection  <>t*  the  French, 
intrenched  himself  in  Quer£taro,  where  be  was  made  prisoner  by  the 
Republicans  and  shot,  together  with  the  Imperialist  ( renerals  Mi  ran  inn 
and  Mexla,  at  the  Cerro  de  las  Campanas,  the  19th  of  June,  L867. 

Benito  Juarez,  of  Indian  birth,  and  possessed  of  great  ability,  patri- 
otism, and  energy,  was  the  President  of  the  Republic  during  the  tur- 
bulent times  of  the  reformation  and  the  war  with  France.     He  entered 

the  capital  victorious  on  the  L5th  of  duly.  L867,  and  retained  the  Pres- 
idency until  his  death,  in  L872,  being  the  only  Mexican  who  has  died 
during  an  occupancy  of  that  office.  His  immediate  successor  was 
Sebastian  Lerdo  de  Tejada,  who  retained  the  office  until  ls7»i.  when  he 
was  unseated  by  the  revolution  of  Palo  Blanco.  Gen.  Portirio  Diaz 
succeeded  Lerdo  de  Tejada  in  May.  1*77,  and  was  followed  by  (ien. 
Manuel  Gonzales  in  1880.  In  1884  General  Diaz  was  elected  to  a 
second  term,  and  has  since  continued  at  the  head  of  the  Govern- 
ment. His  administration  has  been  attended  with  great  progress  and 
prosperity. 

The  governments  of  Mexico  since  the  securing  of  independence  have 
been  as  follows: 

II,  //,  ncit  8.  (1)  Composed  of  Generalisimo  Don  Agustin  de  Yturbide, 
Don  Juan  O'Donoju,  Don  Manuel  de  la  Barcena,  Don  [sidro  Yafiez, 
and  Don  Manuel  Velasquez  de  Leon,  1821  to  L822.  (2)  Don  Agustin 
de  Yturbide,  Don  Isidro  Yafiez,  Don  Miguel  Valentin,  Count  de  Casa 
de  Heras,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Don  Nicolas  Bravo.  L822. 

Empire.     Yturbide,  with  the  title  of  Agustin  I.  L822  to  L823. 

Provisional  Governments. — The  council  charged  with  the  supreme 
executive  power,  composed  of  Don  Nicolas  Bravo,  Don  Guadalupe 
Victoria,  and  Don  Pedro  Negrete,  with  Don  Jose*  Maria  Michelenaand 
Don  Miguel  Dominguez  as  substitutes,  1823  to  1824. 

Federal  Republic.— Gen.  Guadalupe  Victoria,  1823  to  L829;  Gen. 
Vicente  Guerrero,  1829;  Don  Jose  Maria  Bocanegra.  L829;  Don  Pedro 
Velez,  President  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Justice,  Gen.  Luis  Quintanar 
and  Don  Lucas  Alaman.  L829;  Gen.  Anastacio  Bustamante,  1830  to 
L832;  Gen.  Melchor  Musquiz,  1832;  Gen.  Manuel  Gomez  Pedraza, 
1832  to  L833,  Don  Valentin  Gomez  Farias,  1833;  Gen.  Antonio  Lopez 
de  Santa-Anna,  L833;  Don  Valentin  Gomez  Farias,  1833  to  1834  ;  Geo. 
Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa-Anna,  1834  to  1835;  Gen.  Miguel  Barragan, 
1835  to  L836;  Don  Jose  Justo  Corro,  1836  to  1837. 

Central  Republic.-  Gen.  Anastacio  Bustamante,  1837  to  1839;  Gen. 
Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa-Anna  (substitute),  1839;  Gen.  Nicolas  Bravo 
(substitute),  1839;  Gen.  Anastacio  Bustamante,  1839  to  1811;  Don 
Javier  Echeverria,  1841. 

Dictatorships. — Gen.  Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa- Anna,  1841  to  ls42: 
Gen.  Nicolas  Bravo,  1842  to  1843;  Gen.  Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa- 
Anna,  1843;  Gen.  Valentin  Canalizo,  1843  to  1844. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  23 

Central  Republic. — Gen.  Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa- Anna,  1844;  Gen. 
Valentin  Canalizo,  1844;  Gen.  Jose  Ignaeio  Herrera,  1844  to  1845; 
Gen.  Mariano  Paredes  y  Arrillaga,  1846;  Gen.  Nicolas  Bravo,  1846. 

Federal  Republic. — Gen.  Mariano  Salas,  1846;  Don  Valentin  Gomez 
Farias,  1846  to  1847;  Gen.  Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa-Anna,  1847;  Gen. 
Pedro  Maria  Anaya.  1847;  Gen.  Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa-Anna,  1847; 
Don  Manuel  de  la  Pena  y  Pena,  President  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Justice,  L847;  Gen.  Pedro  Maria  Anaya,  1847  to  1848;  Don  Manuel  de 
la  Pena  y  Pena,  1848;  Gen.  Jose  Joaquin  de  Herrera,  1848  to  1851; 
Gen.  Mariano  Arista,  1851  to  1858;  Don  Juan  B.  Ceballos,  President 
Supreme  Court  of  Justice,  1853. 

Dictatorship*. — Gen.  Manuel  Maria  Lombardini,  1853;  Gen.  Antonio 
Lopez  de  Santa-Anna,  1853  to  1855;  Gen.  Komulo  Diaz  de  la  Vega, 
L855;  Gen.  Martin  Carrera,  1855;  Gen.  Juan  Alvarez,  1855;  Gen. 
Ignaeio  Comonfort,  1855  to  1857. 

Constitutional  Presidents. — Gen.  Ignaeio  Comonfort,  1857  to  1858; 
Don  Benito  Juarez,  President  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Justice,  1858 
to  1861.  Don  Benito  Juarez  (elected),  1861  to  1872;  Don  Sebastian 
Lerdo  de  Tejada,  President  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Justice,  1872; 
Don  Sebastian  Lerdo  de  Tejada  (elected),  1872  to  1876;  Gen.  Porlirio 
Diaz  (provisional),  1876;  Gen.  Juan  N.  Mendez  (substitute),  1876;  Gen. 
Portirio  Diaz  (elected),  1877  to  1880;  Gen.  Manuel  Gonzalez,  1880  1<> 
1884;  Gen.  Portirio  Diaz,  1884  to  1888;  Gen.  Portirio  Diaz,  1888  (still 
in  office). 

During  the  years  from  1857  to  1860,  in  the  capital  of  the  Republic, 
which  at  the  time  was  in  the  power  of  the  Conservative  party,  there 
governed  in  the  capacity  of  Presidents  the  following  persons: 

Gen.  Felix  Zuloaga,  1857;  Gen.  Manuel  Robles  Pezuela,  1858;  Don 
Jose  Ignaeio  Pavon,  1858;  Gen.  Miguel  Miramon,  1858,  Gen.  Felix 
Zuloaga,  1859;  Gen.  Miguel  Miramon,  1859  to  1861. 

As  a  result  of  the  French  intervention,  the  Imperial  Government 
was  established  from  1864  to  1867. 

While  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  Archduke  Maximilian  of  Austria, 
Bishop  Juan  B.  Ormaehea  and  Generals  Juan  N.  Almonte  and  Mariano 
Salas  governed  as  regents. 


CHAPTER  III. 

ETHNOLOGY  AND  ARCHAEOLOGY  OF  MEXICO. 

By  Otis  T.  Mason. 
Curator  of  the  Division  of  Ethnology  in  the  United  Stales  National  Museum. 

No  attempt  is  here  made  to  resolve  into  its  constituent  ethnic  ele- 
ments that  remarkably  composite  people  which  first  set  eyes  on  Yuca- 
tan in  1517.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  Iberian,  Semite.  Bamite,  Goth 
and  Vandal.  Roman  and  Celt  had  mingled  their  blood  in  that  stream 
of  brave  and  adventurous  men.  From  remotest  time  Spain  had  been 
the  meeting  ground  of  races,  of  peoples,  of  languages,  and  of  religions. 
One  does  not  know  which  to  admire  more — the  brilliant  recklessness  of 
the  soldier  or  the  fiery  zeal  of  the  priest.  The  Mexican  of  to-day  has 
the  blood  of  more  races  in  his  veins  than  any  other  American,  and  as 
the  present  Indian  population  is  largely  metis,  what  a  compound  of 
racesl  uNo  other  portion  of  the  globe,"  says  II.  II.  Bancroft  (1874, 
ii,  87),  "embraces  within  equal  latitudinal  limits  so  great  a  variety  of 
climate  and  vegetation  as  Mexico."'  It  is  also  true  that  within  the 
area  of  the  original  territory  there  were  more  families  of  native  lan- 
guages than  in  all  the  Western  Hemisphere  besides;  and,  to  complete 
the  chain,  there  were  more  kinds  and  grades  of  culture  there.  The 
Seri  Indians,  of  Sonora.  are  as  abject  as  the  Fuegians,  while  the  Nahuatl 
and  Maya  speaking  tribes  of  the  valley  of  Mexico  and  of  Yucatan 
occupied  the  most  elevated  position  for  culture  in  the  New  World. 

The  origin  of  the  Mexican  aborigines  is  involved  in  that  of  the 
American  Indians,  since  within  the  present  boundaries  of  that  Repub- 
lic are  gathered  representatives  of  every  zone,  from  the  Apache,  an 
Athapascan,  whose  principal  home  is  in  Alaska,  to  the  tribes  of 
Oaxaca  and  Chiapas,  who  are  the  children  of  a  torrid  clime.  There 
are  now  in  Mexico  ten  times  more  Indians  than  were  ever  at  any  time 
within  the  United  States  domain.  In  the  works  of  Orozco  y  Berra 
(1864),  Pimentel  (1862),  and  Alfonso  L.  Herrera  (1895)  the  reader 
will  find  complete  lists  of  all  tribal  names.  These  include,  often,  sev- 
eral titles  for  the  same  tribe,  to  wit,  their  own  name,  by  which  they 
call  themselves;  their  place  name,  as  we  now  mark  persons  by  the 
town  where  they  live;  names,  often  of  contempt,  by  which  a  tribe  is 
designated  among  its  neighbors,  besides  titles  conferred  through 
mistake  b}r  ignorant  observers.  From  among  all  these  bewildering 
designations  the  following  are  selected.  The  linguistic  families  are 
24 


LI-NGUISTIC    FAMILIES.  25 

marked  b}T  the  termination  -an,  after  the  example  of  the  Bureau  of 
American  Ethnology.  In  assigning  tribes  to  their  stocks  frequent 
references  are  made  to  Brinton  (1891)  and  Gatschet  (1885).  The  last- 
mentioned  authority  has  given  most  personal  study  to  the  Nahuatlan 
family  since  Buschmann  (1859). 

Mention  must  also  be  made  of  the  linguistic  map  in  Cubas  (1876)  and 
to  Keane  (1878).  In  the  table  the  family  names  of  Pimentel  appear  in 
the  order  followed  by  the  author.  On  the  right  is  given  the  abbre- 
viated form  here  adopted.  The  numbers  in  the  margin  are  Pimentel's. 
Following  this  list  of  families  another  will  be  found,  in  which  the 
States  of  the  Republic  wherein  the  families  chiefly  reside  accompany 
the  name  of  each.  It  is  quite  possible  that  these  ma}'  need  emenda- 
tion, but  the  information  here  given  is  the  best  at  hand. 

Linguistic  families  in  Mexico. 


Pimentel's  list  (1862). 


Author's  list  (1900). 


Census  in 
1895. 


1,750,000 

85, 000 

2,  500 

200 

250, 000 

60, 000 

90, 000 

580, 000 

5, 000 


Mexicana Nahuatlan 

Sonorense  Opata-Pima j  Piman 

Guaieura a  y  Cochimi-Laimon I  Yuman 

Seri Serian 

Tarasca Tarascan 

Zoque-Mixe Zoquean  

Totonaea  Totonacan 

M  i  x teeo-Zapoteca Zapotecan 

Matlalzinga  o  Pirinda Otomian  (not  certain) . 

Mava-Quiche Mayan 400, 000 

Chontal  (not  a  family  name) Tequistlatecan  (?) !        31, 000 

Huave Huavan 3, 800 

Apache Athapascan 8, 000 

Othomies Otomian 704, 734 

Total 63,970,234 

"Guaieura  may  be  a  separate  family. 

''These  numbers  are  not  accurate,  but  serve  for  comparison. 

LOCATION    OF   MEXICAN   LINGUISTIC    FAMILIES. 

Nahuatlan  or  Mexican  family. — Aguascalientes,  Colima,  Federal 
District,  Guerrero,  Hidalgo,  Jalisco,  Mexico,  Michoacan,  Morelos, 
Oaxaca,  Puebla,  Sinaloa,  Tabasco,  Tlaxcala.  Veracruz. 

Piman  family. — Made  a  subfamily  of  Nahuatlan  by  Buschmann 
(1859),  Gatschet  (1879),  and  Brinton  (1891);  Chihuahua,  Durango, 
Jalisco,  Sinaloa,  Sonora,  Zacatecas. 

Yuman  family.— Northern  part  of  Lower  California. 

Serian  family. — Sonora,  Tiburon  Island. 

Tarascan  family. — Michoacan,  a  few  in  Guerrero  and  Jalisco. 

Zoquean  family. — Oaxaca,  chief!}7;  also  Guerrero  and  Puebla. 

Totonacan  family . — Northern  part  of  Puebla  and  Veracruz. 

Zapotecan  family . — Chiefly  in  Oaxaca;  also  in  Guerrero  and  Puebla. 

Mayan  family. — Yucatan,  Chiapas,  and  Veracruz. 

Tequistlatecan  family. — Oaxaca  (Brinton,  1891,  p.  148). 

Huavan  fam  ily.  — Chiapas. 


26  MEXICO. 

Athapascan  family.  Chihuahua  and  Sonora.  Apache  intruders 
from  United  States. 

Otomian  family.  Guanajuato,  Hidalgo,  Quer6taro,  San  Luis  Potosf, 
Michoacan.  The  Chontals  of  Oaxaca  and  Guerrero  are  placed  by 
Brinton  in  a  provisional  family,  which  he  names  Tequistlatecan,  and 
puts  the  Triquis  in  the  same.  The  Chontals  of  Tobasco  are  Mayan 
(1891,  p.  L46).  Matlalzinca  may  be  a  family.  N«>t  in  Pimentel'a  li-t 
are  the  Chinantecan  family,  in  Oaxaca:  the  Chiapanecan  family,  in 
Chiapas,  and  a  remnant  of  the  Tafioan  family,  in  Chihuahua. 

A  glance  at  the  table  of  linguistic  families  shows  their  relative 
importance.  The  census  is  from  Herrera  ( L895),  and  may  be  defective, 
but  is  correct  enough  to  exhibit  the  relative  importance  of  these  fam- 
ilies in  the  past  and  present  history  of  Mexico.  Those  that  were,  in 
fact,  the  predominant  factors  in  that  culture  were,  proceeding  south- 
ward from  the  boundary  line  of  the  United  States,  as  follows: 

Piman,  the  Opata-Pima  of  the  later  Mexican  authorities,  occupy  the 
western  northern  States  as  far  south  as  Guadalajara,  lying  along 
the  Gulf  of  California,  except  where  they  are  cut  off  by  the  Seri,  but 
they  do  not  anywhere  approach  the  ocean,  being  intercepted  by  the 
Nahuatlan  tribes.  Eminent  authorities,  among  them  Buschmann 
(1854:).  Gatschet  ( 1>>7<;).  and  Brinton  hold  the  Piman  to  be  a  branch  of 
the  Nahuatlan  family,  including  the  Shoshonean  in  the  United  States 
(Powell,  1891,  p.  ION),  the  Sonoran  or  Opata-Pima  (Brinton,  L891),  and 
the  Nahuatl  or  southern  branch.  This  stock  now  occupies  the  site 
of  the  Casas  Grandes  and  other  adobe  ruins,  and  it  is  reasonable  to 
suppose  that  their  ancestors  were  the  builders  and  inhabitants  of  many 
ancient  pueblos  and  cliff  sites,  both  in  Arizona  and  northern  Mexico. 
(Bandolier,  1890.) 

Nahuatlan. — Following  the  Bureau  <>f  American  Ethnology  in  keep- 
ing the  Piman  as  a  separate  family  leaves  the  Nahuatlan  free  to  include 
only  Pimentel'a  Mexicana.  The  tribes  of  this  stock  are  found  in 
almost  unbroken  continuity  from  Sinaloa  along  the  Pacific  -lope  to 
the  border  line  of  Guatemala.  In  the  valley  of  Mexico  they  occupied 
three  districts.  Tezcuco,  Tlacopan,  and  Tenochtitlan.  Tin-  family 
holds  the  most  prominent  position  in  the  history  of  the  Conquest 
(Thomas,  L898,  233;  Bancroft,  L875,  ii.  L33;  Cubas,  L876.) 

Otomian.  a  widelj  spoken  language  formerly.  The  tribes  were 
among  the  earliest  in  the  valley  of  Mexico,  and  they  spread  themselves 
out  over  Guanajuato,  Hidalgo.  Queretaro.  San  Luis,  and   Michoacan. 

Tarascan.  inhabitant-  of  Michoacan.  The  Tarascos  were  builders  in 
stone,  metal  workers,  and  mos<  excellent  weavers.     (Leon,  1874.) 

Totonacan.  of  Veracruz,  the  first  natives  encountered  by  Cortes. 
(Thomas.  L898,  332.) 

Zapotecan,  the  Mixteco-Zapoteca,  of  Pimentel,  are  in  Oaxaca  and 
Guerrero.     The  ruins  of  Mitla  are  within  their  territory,  with  their 


ABOKIGINAL    TRIBES.  27 

wonderful  artificial  hills,  stone  buildings,  fretworks  in  cut  stones, 
columns,  and  wall  paintings.  (Holmes,  1807,  '2'27,  quoting-  Charnay 
and  Bandelier.) 

Zoquean,  Zoque-Mixe  family  are  in  Chiapas.  Oaxaca,  and  Tabasco, 
between  the  Mayan  and  the  Zapotecan  tribes.  Little  is  known  of  their 
origin,  save  a  tradition  of  their  having  come  from  the  South.  If  their 
ancestors  were  ever  possessed  by  the  spirit  of  culture  progress,  once 
so  exalted  here,  the  pride  of  former  days  now  sleeps  "as  though  that 
soul  were  dead." 

Mayan  family,  the  advance  guard  of  new  world  progress.  Scholars 
have  consecrated  their  lives  worthily  to  the  Maya  civilization.  After 
Bancroft  (75,  ii,  630-805)  consult  Holmes  (1895,  pt.  i),  Brinton  (91, 
153-159,  with  notes),  Thomas  (1899),  Seler  (1887),  Maudslay  (1897), 
Forstemann  (1890),  Gunckel  (1897). 

The  Ma}Tas,  excepting  a  colony  of  Huastecas,  on  the  Rio  Panuco,  in 
Veracruz,  lived  together  in  Yucatan,  Guatemala,  and  Honduras  (Stoll, 
1884,  180  pp.).  To  them  may  .be  assigned  the  wonderful  ruins  of 
Palenque  in  Chiapas,  of  Copan  in  Honduras,  of  Uxmal  and  Chichen- 
Itza  in  Yucatan. 

The  following  tribal  names  have  been  selected  out  of  the  man}1- 
hundreds  of  designations  before  mentioned  because  it  seemed  possible 
to  assign  these  to  their  linguistic  families  and  locations.  The  list  will 
at  least  form  a  working  basis  for  future  inclusions  and  exclusions: 

ABORIGINAL    TRIBES    IN   THE    REPUBLIC   OF    MEXICO,    TOGETHER   WITH    THEIR     LINGUISTIC 

FAMILIES    AND    LOCALITIES. 

Acaxees  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Sinaloa,  Durango. 

Acxotecas  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Mexico,  ancient  division  of  Chichimecs. 

Acolhuas  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Mexico,  ancient  ruling  tribe,  Colhuas. 

Agualulco  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Tabasco,  also  Ahualulco. 

Ahomaos  (Piman  F.),  Sinaloa,  also  Ahomes. 

Aicales  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas,  dialect  of  Choi.,  see  Mopanes. 

Ajoyes  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas,  dialect  of  Choi.,  also  Axoyes. 

Alames  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas. 

Alasapa  (Coahuiltecan  F. ),  Coahuila,  N.  Leon. 

Amuchgos  (Zapotecan  F.),  Guerrero,  also  Amusgos. 

Apache  (Athapascan  F. ),  Northern  boundary;  the  Apaches  of  Yuma  affinity  are  all 
in  the  United  States. 

Aripas  (Yuman  F. ),  Lower  California,  branch  of  Waikuru. 

Ateacaris  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Jalisco,  Cora  proper. 

Aztecas  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Mexicans  of  Anahuac.  Seven  tribes  came  from  Aztlan  in 
the  north,  and  the  Aztecs  were  one  of  them.  They  arrived  in  the  following  order: 
Sochomilcos,  Chalcas,  Tepanecos,  Tescucans,  Tlatluicans,  Tlascalans,  Mexicans  or 
Aztecas. 

Babiocora  (Piman  F. ),  branch  of  Teguima,  Teguis. 

Basirora  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora,  Sinaloa. 

Batucari  (Piman  F. )  Sinaloa. 

Batucos  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora,  division  of  Teguis. 

Benixonos  (Zapotecan  F. ),  same  as  Cahoncos  or  Nexicha. 


28  MEXICO. 

Biara  (Piman  F. ),  Sinaloa,  dialed  ofTehuea. 

Cahita  (Piman  F.  ),s ra,  Sinaloa,  include  Yaquis,  Mayos,  Tehuecos,  Zuaquee 

Cajonoe  (Zapotecan  F. ),  sameae  Benixonos. 

C&tuxanoa  (Coahniltecan  F.),  Coah.,  Tam.,  also  Catuxanoa. 

Ceris,  same  aa  Sens. 

Coahniltecan  Family,  Texas  and  N.  E.  Mexico;  also  Texan. 

Coahuiltecoa  (Coahniltecan  F.),  Coahnila. 

Cochimia  I  Yuman  F. ),  north  and  middle  California  peninsula. 

Cocomaricopas  (Yuman  F.  i,  Maricopas,  Pina  agency,  Ariz. 

Cocomee  (Mayan  F.),  said  to  he  in  Yucatan. 

Cocopas  i  Yuman  F.  >,  both  sides  of  Colorado  mouth:  river  and  mountain  tribes. 

Coguinachee  |  Piman  F.),  Sonora,  division  of  Opata. 

Cohuixcae  (Nahuatlan  F.),  Guerrero. 

Colothans  (Nahuatlan  F.),  name  of  country  for  Coras,  Zac,  Jalisco. 

Comanche  (Shoshonean  F.),  northern  border  Of  Mex.,  now  in  Oklahoma. 

Comitecos  (  Mayan  F.),  Chiapas;  Chaflabal  of  Comitan. 

Comecrudos  (Coahniltecan  F. ),  Tamaulipas,  wrongly  Carrisoa 

Comeyas  (Yuman  F. ),  southern  California,  probably  Dieguefioe. 

Comoporis  (Piman  F.),  Sinaloa. 

Comoyei  (Yuman  F.),  between  Colorado  River  and  ocean;  Comeya,  Quemaya. 

Comuripas  (Piman  F.  i,  Sonora. 

Conchos  (Yuman  F.),  California,  branch  of  Guaicuru. 

Conchoa  (Coahniltecan  F.  ),  Chihuahua. 

Corarns  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Jalisco. 

Coras  (  Nahuatlan  F. ),  Jalisco,  in  Sierra  <lel  Xayarit. 

Coras  (Yuman  F. ),  Lower  California. 

Cotoname  (Coahniltecan  F.),  Tamaulipas. 

Coviscos  (Zoquean  F. ),  Puehla,  Cahuixcas,  dialect  of  Mixe  (Brinton). 

Coyoteros  (Athapascan  F.),  northern  boundary;  now  Arizona. 

Cuchan  (Yuman  F.),  Yuman  proper,  in  Arizona  and  California,  south  part  of  state. 

Cuicatecos  I  Zapotecan  F.),  Oaxaca. 

Cuitlatecos  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Guerrero,  Michoacan,  Tecos;  also  Popolocas. 

Culuas  (Nahuatlan  F.),  Mexico;  Colhuas,  identified  with  Tezcucans. 

Chalcae  (Nahuatlan  F.),  Mexico,  also Chalcotecanos;  around  the  lake  of  Chalco, 
"where  sand  is." 

Chalquefios  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Mexico;  same  as  Chalcas. 

Chamulee  I  Mayan  F.),  Chiapas,  are  Tzental. 

Chafiabales  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas;  Comiteco,  Jocolobal. 

Changuaguanea  (Athapascan  F. ),  Chihuahua. 

Chapanecoe  (Chiapanecan  F. ),  Chiapas..  Manguee  in  Nicaragua. 

Charaeos  (Otomian  F. ),  Michoacan;  Pirindas. 

Charenses  (Otomian  F.   .  Michoacan;  Pirindas. 

Chatinos  I  Zapotecan  F. ),  Oaxaca  and  Chiapas. 

Chayopinos  (Coahniltecan  F.  i.  Coahnila. 

Chelea  (Mayan  F.).  Yucatan. 

Chiapanecan  family,  with  remnants  in  Chiapas. 

Chichimeeos.  ancient  tribe  of  Mexico,  not  a  family:  Brinton,  1894,  129;  some 
were  Nahuatlan,  some  Otomian. 

Chilpaines  (Athapascan  F. ),  Coahnila. 

Chimalapas  (Zoquean  F. ),  Tehuantepec. 

Chimalpaneca  I  Nahuatlan  F.),  ward  of  Tezcuco. 

Chinantecan  family,  Oaxaca;  Tenez,  Teutecas,  Tzinantecos;  Brinton,  1894,  144,  158. 

Chinarras  (Nahuatlan  F.  i  Chihuahua;  Humaa 

Chinipa  (Piman  F. ),  Chih.,  div.  of  Tarahumara;  see  Yarogio. 


ABORIGINAL    TRIBES.  29 

Chinquimes  (Zoquean  F. ),  Puebla,  Guerrero,  Tlapaneeos,  possibly  the  ancient 
Xiximes. 

Chochona  (Zapotecan  F. ),  Oaxaca.     Put  also  with  Tlapaneco. 

Choles  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas. 

Chorotegas  (Chiapanecan  F.),  or  Cholutecas;  Nicaragua. 

Chuchones  (Zapotecan  F.),  Oaxaca,  Guerrero. 

Cuitlatecos  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  tribe  of  Mexicans,  "dunghill  people." 

Chontals,  non-Nahuatl  tribes;  the  word  means  "outcasts;"  Brinton,  1894,  8.  /■. 

Chontals  (Mayan  F. ),  Tabasco;  identified  with  Tzental. 

Chontals  (Tequistlatecan  F. ),  Oaxaca;  Brinton;  Belmar  makes  them  Zapotecan. 

Dohmes  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora,  Dohemabatuco;  see  Eudeve;  is  probably  a  local 
name. 

Eudeves  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora;  branch  of  Opatas. 

Guaicuru  (Yuman  F. ),  Lower  California;  may  be  a  separate  family  (Gatschet). 

Guailopos  (Piman  F. ),  Chihuahua;  see  Chinipas. 

Guaymas  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora. 

Guazapari  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Chihuahua. 

Heve  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora;  seeDoheme,  Eudeve. 

Hichucios  (Piman  F.),  Sinaloa,  dial,  of  Tehueco. 

Himeris  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora. 

Hizos  (Piman  F. ),  Chihuahua. 

Hnastecas  (Mayan  F.),  Veracruz;  Huaxtec. 

Huavan  family,  Tehuantepec;  also  written  Huavi,  Wabi. 

Huaztontecos  ( Huavan  F. ) ,  Tehuantepec. 

Huicholes  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Zacatecas,  Jalisco. 

Huites  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Sinaloa. 

Humas  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Chihuahua;  Chinarras. 

Humes  (Nahuatlan  F.),  Durango;  Hiumi  (Latham),  Acaxe. 

Husorones  (Piman  F. ),  Chihuahua,  dial,  of  Tarahumara. 

Ipapanes  (Totonacan  F.).     Keane  puts  with  Huaxtec. 

Itza  (Mayan  F. ),  Yucatan,  Chichen-Itzae;  Itzalanos. 

Jaripecha  (Tarascan  F. ),  Guanajuato. 

Jocolabal  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas;  Chafiabal. 

Jonaz  (Otomian  F.),  Guanajuato,  Queretaro. 

Jo  pes  (Zoquean  F. ),  Chiapas;  Tlapaneeos,  Yopes. 

Jovas  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora;  Jobas,  Ovas,  dial,  of  Opata,  perhaps  the  same  as  the 
Eudeves  or  Heves. 

Juaves,  same  as  Huave,  Huavan  family. 

Kupules  (Mayan  F. ),  Yucatan. 

Kutchan  (Yuman  F.),  Lower  Colorado  River;  Ko-Utchan,  Cutganes. 

Lacandones  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas,  not  a  language  (Berendt). 

Laimonos  (Yuman  F. ),  Cal.  peninsula,  with  Cochimi. 

Matapanes  ( Piman  F. ) ,  Sinaloa. 

Matlalzincos,  or  Matlalzingas,  Nahuatl  name  for  Pirinida.  May  be  a  family 
(Saville). 

Matlames,  same  as  Matlalzincos,  with  ending-tzin  removed. 

Maya  (Mayan  F. ),  Yucatan,  Tabasco,  and  Chiapas. 

Mayan  family.     All  over  southeastern  Mexico. 

Mayos  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora,  subtribe  of  Cahita. 

Mazahua  (Otomian  F.),  southwestern  part  of  valley  of  Mexico;  Michoacano. 

Mazapil  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Zacatecas. 

Mecos  (Otomian  F.),  Zacatecas;  see  Jonaz,  Serrano.  Mecos  seems  abbreviation  of 
a  longer  tribal  name,  as  with  Teco,  Tecos. 

Mazatecos  (Zapotecan  F. ),  Oaxaca;  anct.     Mazatlan. 


30  HEXICO. 

Mecoe    '  ttomian  I    i,  I  i-uxanajuato;  Bee  Jonaz. 

Mexicanos  I  Nahuatlan  I".  I.    The  southern  Nahuatlan  tribes,  bo  railed. 

Meztitlatecas  (Nahuatlan  F.),  MEXICO. 

Michoas  (Tarascan  1".  i,  Michoacan. 

Mijes  (Zoqueaa  1".  i ,  Oaxaca;  also  Mixes. 

Mimbrefios  I  Athapascan  l,  Sonora,  or  Arizona. 

Mixtecce  (Zapotecan  F.),  Oax.,  Pueb.,  Guer.,  Miztoguijxi. 

Monquies  (Yuman  F.  |.     See  Waicuru. 

Mopanes  (Mayan  F.),  Chiapas,  are  ('holes.  This  problematic  trihe  probably 
Bpeaka  Maya. 

Muntzi/ii  i  1'iinan  F.  i,  Jalisco,  branch  of  Cora,  Muntzicat 

Xalmatl  and  Nahua,  instead  of  Aztec  or  Mexican,  the  "national"  designation; 
divided  into  northern,  or  Piman  (Sonoran),  and  southern,  or  Mexican  (Gatschet). 

.Nahuatlan  family  includes  all  so-called  Dto-Aztecan  trihe-  in  Mexico. 

Naolingos  (Totonacan  F. ),  Veracruz,  Puebla. 

Xayaritos  i  Xahuan  I".  I,  same  as  Coras. 

Nevomes  I  Piman  F. ),  Sonora. 

Netzichos  (Zapotecan  F.),  Oaxaca;  also  Nexitzas. 

Niquiran  (Nahuatlan  F.  \,  Mexico. 

Ocotlanos  (Zapotecan  F. ),  Oaxaca. 

Olmecas,  preceded  fabled  Toltecs  in  Mexico.     Language  unknown. 

Onaras  I  Piman  F.  I,  Sonora,  branch  of  Opatas.     The  name  means  "salt." 

Opata  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora,  Rio  Yaqui. 

Otomi  (Otomian  F.),  Middle  States,  many  spellings.  Mexico,  Veracruz,  Pueblo, 
Tlaxcala,  Queretaro,  Guanajuato,  San  Luis,  Michoacan. 

Pacheras  I  Piman  F.  I,  Chihuahua,  branch  of  Tarahumara. 

Panics  (Otomian  F.  |,  Mexico.  Queretaro,  Guanajuato,  Nuevo  Leon,  San  Luis. 

Pantecos  (Mayan  F.  I,  Veracruz,  are  Huaxtees. 

Papagos  (Piman  F.i,  Sonora,  some  in  Arizona  (southern). 

Pauzanes  (Goahuiltecan  F. ),  Coahuila. 

l'ericues  (Yuman  F.  I,  Lower  California. 

Pihiques  (Coahuiltecan  F.),  Coahuila.  Mexico. 

1'iinas  (Piman  F.),  Sonora;   P.  Altos  and  P.  Bajos. 

Pinomes  (Zoquean  F.  I,  Tabasco,  Oaxaca,  Chiapas;  Tlapanecos. 

Pirindas  (Otomian  F.),  Michoacan,  Mexico;  sameas  Matlaltzincas;  pirinti  means 
"interior  (tribe)"  in  Matlaltz  language.     May  be  a  family. 

Piros  (Tafioan  F.),  Chihuahua. 

Popolucas,  non-Xahuatl  tribes  of  southern  Mexico. 

Popolucas  of  <  'axaca,  are  Zapotecan. 

Popolucas  of  Puebla,  are  Zoquean;  the  popolucas  of  southern  Guatemala  also  speak 
Mixe  (a  Zoquean  dialect  |. 

Potlapiguas  I  Piman  F.  |,  Sonora,  dialect  of  Lima. 

Put  u  m  (Mayan  F.  ),  Chiapas,  wrongly  Punctunc;  see  Choi. 

Sabaibos  (Nahuatlan  F.),  Sinaloa,  Durango;  see  Acaxeee. 

Sabaquis  i  Piman  F.  );  same  as  Sobaipuris. 

Saharipas  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora. 

Serfs    Yuman  F.),  Sonora;  BameasCeris. 

Serranos  (Otomian  F.),  Tamaulipas,  probably. 

Sinaloas  I  Piman  L. ),  sinaloa;  see  Cahitas. 

Sobaipuris  (Piman  F.  ),  Sonora. 

Sochimilcos  (Naliuatlan  1".  i,  lir>t  of  seven  original  Mexican  cave-dwelling  tribes. 

Soltecos  (Zapotecan  F.  I,  Oaxaca 

Sonoras  I  Piman  F.  |,  Sonora;  Opatas. 

Supis  (Yuman  F.),  Chihuahua.  The  llava  su-Pai,  also  of  Arizona.  These  are 
Yuman. 


'ABORIGINAL    TRIBES.  31 

Tanoan  family,  on  the  Rio  Grande  and  its  tributaries.     (Bivell.) 

Tantoyoe  (Mayan  F. ),  dialect  of  Huaxtee. 

Tapaneeos  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  original  Mexican  tribe. 

Tapijulapanes  (Zoquean  F. ),  Tehuan tepee. 

Tarahurnaras  (Piman  F. ),  Chihuahua. 

Tarascos  (Tarascan  F. ),  Michoacan;  also  Guerrero,  Guanajuato,  Jalisco. 

Tarelepa  (Mayan  F. ),  southern  Mexico. 

Tatimoles  (Totonacan  F. ),  Veracruz. 

Teacualitzistis  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  branch  of  Cora  del  Nayarit. 

Teatas  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora;  also  Tehatas. 

Tebacas  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  branch  of  Acaxees. 

Tecojines  (Zoquean  F. ),  Jalisco,  Tlapanecos. 

Tecoripas  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora. 

Tecos  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  Michoacan,  for  Cuitlatecos. 

Tecualmes  (Piman  F.  ?),  Jalisco;  see  Coras. 

Teguimas  (Piman  F. ),  Sonora;  Opata,  Teguis. 

Tehua  (Tanoan  F. ),  near  El  Paso  de  Texas. 

Tehuecos  (Piman  F. ),  Sinaloa,  dial,  of  Cahita. 

Tejanos,  same  as  Coahuiltecan,  Texan os. 

Tektikilhatis  (Totonacan  F. ),  Veracruz. 

Tenimes  (Zoquean  F. ),  Puebla;  see  Yopes. 

Teotenancas,  first  Chichimecs  in  valley  of  Mexico. 

Tepanecos,  third  Nahuan  tribe  to  arrive  in  Mexico  and  one  of  three  confederated 
tribes  at  time  of  conquest;  capital,  Tlatopan. 

Tepeguana  (Piman  F. ),  Durango,  Buschman's  Aztec-Sonora. 

Tepozcolula  (Zapotecan  F. ),  Oaxaca,  dialect  of  Mixtec. 

Tequis  (Piman  F. ),  Division  of  Opata. 

Tequistlatecan  family,  in  Oaxaca,  see  Chontal,  Triquis. 

Texanos  (Coahuiltecan  F. ),  Texas  and  N.  E.  Mex.,  family  name. 

Texones  (Coahuiltecan  F. ),  Tamaul,  "raccoons,"  also  Tejones,  dialect  of  Pakawa 
(Gatschet),  "tattooed,"  same  as  Coahuiltecan. 

Tewan,  see  Tanoan  family. 

Tezcucos  (Nahutlan  F. ),  Mex.,  see  Acolhuas,  fourth  Nahuatlan  tribe  to  arrive  in 
Anahuac. 

Tlacopan,  now  Tacuba,  suburb  of  the  City  of  Mexico. 

Tlahuicos  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  one  of  seven  original  Mexican  tribes. 

Tlapanec  (Zapotecan  F. ),  Guerrero  (dialect  of  Mixe,  according  to  Brinton). 

Tlascalans  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  sixth  in  order  of  seven  orig.  Mex.  tribes. 

Tlatluicans  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  fifth  Nahuatlan  tribe  in  Anahuac. 

Toltecas,  people  of  Tula,  or  Toltecs,  Brinton,  '94:129;  Thomas,  '99:235. 

Tontos  (Yuman  F. ),  Sonora,  now  in'Arizona. 

Totonacos  (Totonacan  F. ),  Veracruz,  first  natives. seen  by  Cortes. 

Triquis  (Zapotecan  F. ),  according  to  Belmar;  Tequistlatecan  F.,  Brinton,  Oax. 

Tzentals  (Mayan  F. ),  Tobasco  and  Chiapas,  many  spellings. 

Tzotzils  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas,  dialect  of  Quelene. 

Uchitaa  (Yuman  F. ),  branch  of  Waikuru. 

Varogios  (Piman  F. ),  Chih.,  br.  of  Taruhamara. 

Vebetlateca  (Mayan  F. ),  Chiapas,  the  orthography  of  Don  Palacio,  xvi.  century. 

Xicalancas,  preceded  Toltecs  in  valley  of  Mexico.  Valentini  thought  they  were 
Mayas. 

Xicayan  (Zapotecan  F. ),  Guerrero  and  Puebla. 

Xiximes  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  classed  with  Acaxees. 

Yaquis  (Nahuatlan  F. ),  R.  Yaqui,  Sonora. 

Yavapais  (Yuman  F.),  eight  bands,  various  spelling. 

Yopes  (Zoquean  F.),  Puebla,  dialect  of  Mixe  (Brinton). 


32  MEXICO. 

Zapotecoe  (Zapotecan  F.),  Oaxaca,  many  tribes. 
Zoqueaxi  Eamily,  Tabasco,  Chiapas,  Oaxaca. 
Zoaqaes  (Piman),  Sinaloa,  branch  ofCahita. 

These  tribes  and  their  ancestors  developed  their  civilization  as  best 
they  could  under  the  skies  and  with  the  natural  resources  of  the  country. 

In  the  matter  of  food,  which  is  the  most  important  consideration  oi 
all.  the  southern  Mexicans  were  happily  situated.     Since  the  grade  of 

a  people's  culture  IS  measured  by  the  amount  and  variety  of  artificiality 
in  their  daily  lives,  agriculture  is  a  higher  art  than  fishing  or  hunting 
or  herding.  How  fortunate,  then,  were  the  Mexicans  of  old  in  that 
their  attention  was  not  distracted  by  the  presence,  of  large  herds  of  buf- 
falo or  immense  schools  of  fishes.  There  was  in  their  dietary  enough 
of  meat  and  of  fish,  hut  they  had  the  most  economic  grain  in  the 
world  —maize— in  some  places  yielding  three  crops  a  year.  Besides, 
Mexican  soil  is  congenial  to  all  sorts  of  pulse,  most  nitrogenous  of 
plant  foods;  to  cacao;  to  the  banana,  most  economic  of  fruits,  and  to 
a  variety  of  vegetal  productions  not  known  in  the  temperate  zone. 
There  were  no  plows  or  agricultural  machinery:  but  there  was  ahun- 
dance  of  water  supply  and  ample  means  of  utilizing  it  through  irriga- 
tion canals.  Could  the  ancient  regime  be  restored,  an  interesting 
picture  would  be  afforded  of  premanganic  or  premechanical  thrift. 
There  were  farmers  in  those  days  such  as  one  might  see  in  busy  Japan 
fifty  years  ago  or  yet  in  many  pails  of  China,  where  teeming  popula- 
tions are  daily  fed  on  ample  though  not  varied  fare,  the  product  of 
human  hands  alone.  The  miller — generally  the  woman — ground  the 
maize  on  a  nictate,  or  slab  of  lava,  with  a  niuller.  rather  than  with  a 
pestle,  and  cooked  her  cakes  and  bread  on  griddles  and  in  the  hot 
ashes,  not  differently  from  the  ways  of  our  own  ancestors  a  few  gener- 
ations removed.  It  was  the  acme,  the  apotheosis,  of  the  hand  epoch, 
where  there  were  fewer  comforts,  perhaps,  but  less  misery.  (  Bancroft . 
1875,  ii,  242-56:2.)  The  serving  of  food  was.  like  all  other  activities, 
conditioned  on  the  social  organization.  Failing  to  recognize  this, 
authors  have  read  the  most  refined  aristology  into  the  rude  but  hearty 
feasting  of  the  Mexican  rulers  in  ante-Columbian  times.  For  a  gor- 
geous account  of  Montezuma's  dinner  the  reader  may  consult  Bancroft 
(1875,  ii,  174-178),  and  as  an  antidote  to  this,  Morgan  (1881,  237-248), 
the  truth  doubtless  lying  somewhere  between. 

The  next  anxiety  of  a  people  after  appeasing  hunger  is  to  clothe 
the  body  artificially  against  heat  and  cold,  against  rain  and  drought, 
and  against  damage  from  without.  The  ancient  Mexicans  wore  san- 
dals, which,  because  they  had  no  rawhide  for  the  soles,  were  woven 
or  plaited  ingeniously  from  vegetable  fibers  and  fastened  to  the  feet 
differently  from  the  Egyptian  type  now  worn.  On  the  feet  of  gods 
and  of  great  persons  the  sandals  are  highly  decorated.  The  limbs 
were  bare.  Men  wore  the  breech  clout  and  women  short  kilts  or 
petticoats.     The  upper  part  of  the  body  was  protected  by  means  of  a 


ETHNOLOGY    AND    ARCHAEOLOGY.  33 

shawl  or  robe  fastened  on  the  left  shoulder.  leaving  the  right  hand 
free.  Sleeved  garments  were  not  known.  The  head  ordinarily  was 
bare.  In  the  wilder  tribes  men  and  women  dressed  scantily  in  gar- 
ments made  of  skins.  The  more  advanced  tribes  substituted  clothing 
of  bark  cloth,  like  the  Hawaiian  tapa,  of  nequen  fiber,  and  of  cotton. 
Among  the  most  cultured  tribes  barbaric  splendor  was  the  rule  in  dress. 
Every  part  of  the  bod}*  was  decked  with  jewelry,  feather  work,  and 
embroidery.  Of  the  priests  and  persons  in  authority,  as  one  may  see 
from  the  codices  and  sculptures,  it  may  be  truly  said  that  Solomon  in 
all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these.  (Bancroft,  1875, 
303-377.) 

After  clothing  comes  the  habitation.  Indeed,  a  house  is  a  suit  of 
clothing  or  costume  for  a  family,  a  clan,  a  royal  establishment,  a  reli- 
gious sect.  Morgan  (1881)  holds  that  the  great  stone  structures  of 
Mexico  now  in  ruins  were  communal  houses,  built  on  the  models 
of  those  belonging  tp  Indian  tribes  farther  north.  In  this  he  is  com- 
bated by  those  who  look  at  them  after  studying  the  religious  edifices 
of  the  Orient.  No  doubt  these  imposing  remains  are  only  a  small 
fragment  of  what  they  stand  for.  As  a  stone  arrowhead  picked  up  on 
some  field  was  once  united  to  shaft  and  foreshaft  and  feathering,  and 
was  painted  with  significant  markings,  so  these  stone  remains  are  only 
insignificant  relics  of  their  former  selves.  Wooden  buildings  with 
thatched  roofs  and  with  sides  plaited  into  diaper  patterns,  painted 
screens,- gardens,  furniture,  and  household  utensijs  are  all  gone.  The 
ancient  people  lived  doubtless  very  much  as  the  native  Mexicans  do 
in  our  day.  Making  allowance  for  intrusions  by  way  of  Spain  from 
North  Africa  and  Egypt,  and  by  way  of  Manila  from  the  Orient,  one 
may  be  helped  greatly  in  restoring  the  former  times  by  a  study  of 
modern  buildings,  not  forgetting  that  the  clan  or  gentile  system  of 
living  prevailed  in  Mexico  as  in  all  other  parts  of  America. 

The  tools  of  the  ancient  stone  workers  were  chief!}'  of  stone.  If 
there  were  any  mason's  tools  of  metal,  they  were  inconsiderable.  The 
Mexican  lapidaries  could  chip,  saw,  bore,  and  polish  obsidian,  nephrite, 
and  other  gem  stones,  and  inlay.  They  were  also  fond  of  and  skillful 
in  mosaic  work,  effected  by  carving  masks  and  other  objects  in  wood 
or  shell,  covering  the  surface  with  gum  and  overlaying  with  scraps  of 
green  and  other  colored  stones.  (Oppel,  1896,  4.)  Excellent  examples 
of  this  work  have  been  dug  from  ancient  pueblos  in  Arizona.  (Fewkes, 
L898,  pi.  35.)  The  ancient  Mexican  stonemasons  used  the  pick,  the 
hushing  hammer,  and  the  abrader,  all  of  stone.  They  also  employed 
wood  for  skids,  levers,  wedges,  handles  to  stone  tools,  and  for  burning 
lime.  To  these  primitive  utensils  must  be  added  that  manual  dexter- 
ity which  comes  only  through  generations  of  practice  and  emulation. 
The  tools  of  fellow-craftsmen  were  of  the  same  primitive  character, 
and  yet  with  these  they  also  produced  astonishing  results  in  wood, 
shell,  gold,  silver,  and  copper. 
509a— 04 3 


34  MEXICO. 

The  Mexican  engineer  had  n<>  helpful  beasts  of  burden,  hence  his 
countrymen  became  famous  in  the  use  of  their  backs',  an  art  not  yet 
passed  away.  Ho  had  the  best  <>!'  ropes,  the  inclined  plane  the  lever, 
the  wedge,  Hit1  parbuckle, and  a  primitive  tackle  without  pulleys.     In 

certain  erections  a  false  core  was  built  up  to  sustain  the  masonry,  and 
removed  when  all  was  finished.  As  for  his  line,  -plummet,  foot  rule, 
square,  and  numerical  standards,  nothing  is  known;  only,  if  his 
metric  system  resembled  his  calendar,  he  used  a  decimal  scale. 

Among  metrical  appliances,  time  measures  afford  an  excellent  gauge 
of  a  people's  progress  to  mark  definite  portions  of  time,  as  with 
the  sandglass;  to  tell  the  time  of  day.  t<.  note  the  proper  day.  furnish 
materials  for  the  chronograph,  the  chronometer,  and  the  chronologist. 

The  more  savage  tribes  of  Mexico  marked  the  length  of  an  interval 
by  the  fading  of  leaves  set  up  ill  the  path  and  the  width  of  the  angle 
traversed  by  a  shadow.  Time  of  day  was  not  registered  artificially 
among  the  wilder  tribes,  hut  in  the  more  cultured  there  were  devices 
that  operated  on  the  principle  of  the  dial.  Hut  the  calendar  of  the 
Nahuatlan,  Zapotecan, Totonacan,  and  Mayan  families  was  quite  up  to 
that  of  the  conquerors.  The  year  consisted  of  three  hundred  and 
sixty-five  days,  in  two  parts;  three  hundred  and  sixty  days,  divided 
into  eighteen  months  of  twenty  days  each,  and  five  intercalary  day-. 
Each  day  of  the  month  had  a  proper  name  and  a  graphic  symbol. 
The  interpretation  of  these  symbols  has  taxed  the  ingenuity  of  ^lexi- 
cologists from  the  beginning.     (Thomas.  1898;  Seler,  1888.) 

In  this  connection,  for  rating  the  culture  status  of  the  Mexican- 
must  not  be  overlooked  the  harnessing  of  nature's  forces  for  work. 
The  Mexicans,  originally,  did  not  use  the  wind  for  power  unless  it 
may  have  been  to  waft  the  rudest  kind  of  craft  and  to  winnow  their 
harvests.  Hut  water  was  dammed  up  for  agriculture  and  for  fish 
ponds,  floating  gardens  were  known,  canals  were  dug  for  irrigation 
and  transportation,  and,  most  wonderful  of  all,  in  Yucatan  were 
innumerable  water  caves.  The  soft,  porous  limestone,  broken  up  by 
earthquakes,  acted  like  a  sieve  for  the  surface  waters,  which  dissolved 
for  themselves  subterranean  channels.  There  arc  no  surface  springs, 
but  the  roofs  of  the  underground  streams,  breaking  in,  formed  cistern- 
like pits,  with  abundance  of  water  at  the  bottom.  Theseare  approached 
by  trails  and  ladders,  and  they  have  been  improved  artificially.  (Holmes, 
1895;  Mercer.  L897;  Thompson,  1897.) 

The  woodman  was  not  in  evidence  to  such  degree  as  he  became  on 
the  north  Pacific  coast,  but  all  tribes  knew  tin1  plant  world  well,  and 
within  the  limits  of  the  Republic  there  was  a  great  variety  of  economic 
species  for  aliment,  drink  and  medicines,  for  woods,  for  liber.  Tim- 
ber was  cut  down  with  stone  axes,  split  with  wooden  wedges,  held 
toe-ether  with  wooden  pees  and  lashings.  It  was  shaped  roughly  with 
adzes,  and  there  was  no  lack  of  tools  for  creditable  wood  carving,  as 
the  architectural  features  of  that   substance  bear  witness,  but  drums 


ETHNOLOGY    AND    ARCHAEOLOGY.  35 

and  furniture  were  also  skillfully  carved.  The  reed  lent  itself  handily 
to  a  thousand  clever  arts. 

The  textile  art  was  well  advanced  in  Mexico.  Its  coarsest  products 
were  the  roofs  of  the  dwellings,  their. ornamental  walls  and  screens, 
and  fences.  Next  came  matting-  of  reeds,  yucca,  aud  palm  strips.  By 
varying  the  plant,  the  dye,  and  the  pattern,  the  most  pleasing  effects 
were  brought  about.  Articles  of  dress  and  utensils  of  housekeeping 
without  number  were  plaited  from  abundant  and  varied  material. 
Basketry,  through  failure  of  tough  roots  and  other  material,  was  not 
equal  to  that  farther  north;  but  in  place  of  it  skillful  fingers  reveled 
in  feather  work,  for  which  nature  furnished  with  lavish  hand  not  only 
abundant  fiber  for  network,  but  plumage  birds  without  stint  for  the 
gaudy  covering. 

The  Mexican  women  could  spin  both  with  the  fingers  without 
mechanical  help  and  by  means  of  spindles,  upon  the  manufacture  of 
which  much  artistic  skill  was  bestowed.  They  wove  just  as  the  Pima 
women  of  Arizona,  their  kindred,  do  even  to  this  da}T,  namely,  sitting 
on  the  ground  with  warp  almost  horizontal,  one  end  of  it  fastened  to 
a  stationary  object,  the  other  to  a  belt  around  their  waists.  By  sway- 
ing their  bodies  they  governed  the  tension.  The}T  could  do  plain  weav- 
ing, in  which  the  weft  of  different  colors  passes  back  and  forth;  they 
could  manage  diaper  effects  by  counting  warp  threads  at  each  excursion 
of  the  rude  shuttle,  or  they  could  produce  gobelin  effects  by  weaving 
in  the  patterns  separately.  On  the  surface  of  these  textiles  lace  work 
was  effected  also  skillfully.  It  is  an  open  question,  however,  whether 
the  beautiful  modern  drawn  work  was  of  native  development  or 
imported  from  Manila  in  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries. 
Tailoring,  also,  in  the  modern  sense  was  unknown,  garments  being 
made  out  of  the  whole  piece. 

The  question  whether  Mexican  aboriginal  culture  is  original  or 
derived  has  been  hotly  debated  by  those  who  should  have  known  that 
it  is  both.  The  problem  of  native  culture  is  tike  those  of  the  geologist 
and  the  chemist.  In  order  to  ascribe  a  phenomenon  to  certain  layers 
or  substances,  these  first  exclude  foreign  intrusions.  In  the  same  way 
those  arts  which  were  developed  on  the  soil  of  Mexico  will  be  more 
clearly  understood  by  the  elimination  of  intrusions.  From  the  crown 
of  his  head  to  the  sole  of  his  foot — literally,  from  headdress  to  sandal — 
the  modern  Mexican  is  Hispano-Egyptian  through  northern  Africa, 
with  an  overlapping  of  the  Orient  through  three  hundred  years  of 
contact  with  the  Philippines. 

There  was  no  potter's  wheel;  all  vessels  were  being  built  up  by  the 
well-known  processes  of  coiling,  modeling,  molding,  and  malleating  or 
beating  into  shape  with  paddles.  The  art  of  covering  with  slip,  paint- 
ing, adding  ornaments,  and  burning  were  well  understood,  but  glazed 
pottery  in  ancient  Mexico  was  not  known.  In  the  South  the  ware  was 
far  more  refined  in  quality  and  ornament,  that  of  the  central  region 


3f>  MEXICO. 

being  overloaded  with  modeled  work.  Indeed,  in  the  ware  of  to-day 
a  school  of  potters,  instead  of  modeling  as  the  sculptor  does,  molds 
the  parts  of  an  intricate  piece  and  then  lutes  them  together.  Among 
ceramic  treasures  are  to  be  noted  the  musical  instruments. 

Gold,  silver,  copper,  and  perhaps  tin  were  known  to  the  cultured 
provinces.  These  metals  are  still  found  in  the  Republic  abundantly, 
but  to  recount  me!  the  workshops  of  the  goldsmith  or  the  silversmith 
is  no  easy  task.  Astonishing  effects  may  be  produced  in  these  metals, 
cold  or  iii  open  fire,  in  the  hands  of  clever  workmen.  Those  who  on 
a  priori  ground  assert  the  knowledge  of  the  blowpipe,  the  bellows,  or 
the  knowledge  of  fluxes  do  not  remember  how  extremely  handy  many 
peoples  are  without  them.  Literature  concerning  the  metallurgists, 
their  shops,  their  tools,  their  processes,  and  their  handiwork,  is  most 
meager.     (Penafiel,  L890.) 

In  commerce  and  transportation  the  apotheosis  of  human  hacks  and 
limbs  was  to  be  seen  in  Mexico  of  old.  and  in  this  day  they  compete 
successfully  against  beasts  of  burden  and  the  iron  horse.  Mothers 
bore  their  children  in  their  garments,  the  climate  being  too  hot  for  the 
cradle  board  of  the  North.  Passengers  were  carried  on  human  backs 
in  frames.  Loads  were  [lacked  and  held  in  place  both  with  headbands 
and  breastbands.  The  commonest  picture  in  some  of  the  paintings  is 
of  the  burden  bearer,  and  the  artist  has  not  despised  the  carrying  strap 
as  a  ground  for  pleasing  designs.  Runnerswere  common,  and  relays, 
so  that  messages  and  perishable  goods  could  be  delivered  quickly. 
The  Mexicans  were  not  skilled  on  the  water.  In  their  almost  harborless 
and  riverless  country  necessity  for  elaborate  water  craft  did  not  exist. 
What  little  flotation  was  demanded  rafts  of  reed  and  logs  and  dugout 
canoes  supplied.  In  the  more  thriving  States  organized  transportation, 
centers  of  distribution,  and  standards  of  value  were  established,  hut 
the  nearest  approach  to  money  was  in  the  shape  of  cacao  beans,  quills 
filled  with  gold  dust,  and  small  sheets  of  copper  stamped  with  simple 
design.     (Bancroft,  1875*378  399.) 

For  the  communication  and  record  of  ideas  the  tribes  of  Mexico 
exhibit  an  interesting  progression.  The  Sonoran  branch  of  the 
Nahuatlan  family  were  in  this  regard  Indians  pure  and  simple,  with 
their  spoken  dialects,  gesture  speech,  telephonic  messages,  painted 
robes,  rock  carvings,  and  symbolism.  But  the  Southern  families  were 
far  beyond  that.  They  had  not.  forsooth,  spelling  books  and  printing 
presses,  but  they  had  gotten  as  far  along  as  the  rudest  hieroglyphs  of 
Egypt  and  Mesopotamia;  certainly  were  as  skillful  as  the  Chinese. 
They  had  books  much  like  those  of  eastern  Asia,  written  on  parch- 
ment or  native  paper  in  narrow  pages  and  folded  like  a  Japanese 
screen,  and  they  engraved  their  thoughts  on  stone.  The  literature  of 
the  cultured  Mexican  tribes — that  is.  the  artistic  writing — has  nearly 
all  perished,  but  there  was  a  professional  class  of  scribes,  and  after  the 
conquest  they  copied  for  their  rulers  many  old  documents  and  prepared 


CODICES. 


37 


new  ones,  some  of  which  remain  unto  this  da\T.  To  the  decipherment 
of  these  and  of  the  intricate  calendar  s}^stem  able  scholarship  has  been 
devoted,  and  there  is  room  here  merel}r  to  refer  to  their  researches. 
(Bancroft,  1875,  ii,  508.)  Selersays  "The  supposed  differences  between 
Aztec  hieroglyphics  and  Maya  manuscripts  do  not  exist.'1  (Proc.  Roy. 
Geog.  Soc.  in  Science,  1889,  xiii,  295.) 

Among  these  preserved  picture  writings  are  a  number  of  sufficient 
importance  to  have  absorbed  the  attention  of  eminent  and  enthusiastic 
scholars.  They  are  called  "codices,"  and  they  have  been  named  from 
their  discoverers,  from  their  present  locations,  and  from  some  histori- 
cal fact  connected  with  them.  (Bancroft,  1875,  ii,  529;  1870,  v.  192.) 
The  word  codex,  or  codice,  is  somewhat  confusing  in  this  connection, 
being  made  to  cover  also  old  documents  in  the  Spanish  language  as 
well  as  paintings  relating  solehr  to  the  conquest.  Since  the  appear- 
ance of  Lord  Kingsborough's  work  and  others  mentioned  by  Bancroft 
the  Mexican  Geographic  Societ}T,  Due  de  Loubat,  Thomas,  and  others 
have  given  to  the  world  entire  codices  or  parts  in  excellent  form. 
Governments  and  institutions  have  liberally  aided.  Besides,  the  codices 
were  mural  inscriptions,  calculiform  characters  on  altars,  monoliths, 
cartouches  on  ornaments,  paintings  on  pottery,  and  glyphs  on  hard 
wood.     (Starr.) 

The  list  of  efforts  at  their  decipherment  would  transcend  the  limit 
of  this  publication.  The  names  of  most  of  them  will  be  associated 
with  the  works  of  Brinton,  Rau,  Seler,  Forsteman,  Maudslay,  Gunckel, 
Thomas,  Saville,  Goodman,  etc. 

Mexican  and  Maya  codices,  their  locations  and  publishers. 


Berlin 

Baranda  . 
Bodleian. 


Bologna 

Borbonieus 
Borgia 


Boturini 
Campos  . 


Colombino 

Cospianus 

Corlesianusl  Mayan) . 
Dehesa , 

Del  Rios  (3738) 

Dresden  (Mayan) 


Fejervary 

Fernandez  Leal 

Lienzo  de  Tlaxcala 

Mendoza 

Peresianus  or  Mexicanus  II 
I  Mayan). 

Porfirio  Diaz 

Ramirez 

Telleriano  Remensis 


Relievo  de  Chiapas 

Troano  (Mayan) 

Vaticanus 


Vienna 


Location. 


Royal  Library 

Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico 

Facsimile  in   Bodleian    Library, 
Oxford. 

Library  of  Scientific  Distitute 

Palais  Bourbon,  Paris 

College  of  the  Propaganda,  Rome. 


Boturini  Collection 

San   Juan    de    Cuauhtlantzinco, 

Puebla. 
Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico 


Royal  Museum,  Madrid 

Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico. 

Vatican  Library 

Royal  Library,  Dresden 


Possession  of  M.  F.,  Hungary. 
Mexico 

Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico. . . 

Bodleian  Library,  Oxford 

National  Library,  Paris 


Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico. 


National  Library,  Paris 

Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico. 

Madrid 

Vatican  Library,  Rome 


Imperial  Library . 


Published  in- 


Kingsborough,  ii. 
Chavero,  1892. 
Kingsborough,  i,  ii. 

Kingsborough,  ii:  Due  de  Loubat. 
Due  de  Loubat. 

Kingsborough,  iii,  66;  Due  de  Lou- 
bat. 
Kingsborough,  i. 
Starr,  1898. 

Antigiiedades  Mexicanas. 

Due  de  Loubat. 

Madrid. 

Antigiiedades  Mexicanas. 

Due  de  Loubat. 

Kingsborough,    iii;    Forstemann, 

1880. 
Kingsborough,  iii. 
Pefiafiel. 

Antigiiedades  Mexicanas. 
Kingsborough,  i,  v,  vi. 
Archives  Paleographiques,  Paris, 

1869,  i. 
Antigiiedades  Mexicanas. 

Kingsborough,  i,  v,  vi;   Due   de 

Loubat . 
Antigiiedades  Mexicanas. 
Brasseur,  1869;  Thomas,  18S2. 
Kingsborough,  ii,  iii,  v,  vi;  Due  de 

Loubat. 
Kingsborough,  ii. 


38  MEXICO. 

The  social  organization  of  the  aboriginals  in  Mexico  i-  one  of  the 
most  excellent  fields  of  research  on  account  of  the  perspective  which 
it  presents.  Here,  in  tin-;  limited  area,  which  one  may  traverse  in  a 
summer  vacation,  are  to  be  seen  every  grade  and  variety  of  the  gentile 
system.  On  one  extreme  is  the  well-known  mother  rule,  where 
descent  is  in  the  female  line  and  there  is  little  of  private  property  or 
privilege;  on  the  other  is  the  picture  of  a  great  military  confederacy 
of  tribes,  wherein  father-right  prevailed,  where  officers  were  elective, 
and  a  council  of  delegates  from  each  tribe  was  charged  with  all  affairs 
of  state.  Into  this  truly  American  social  order  it  was  easy  for  the 
early  Spanish  authors  to  read  their  own  system  and  to  use  such  terms 
as  king,  prince,  general,  and  so  on,  but  to  the  careful  student  the 
organization  and  functioning  of  society  are  explicable  through  a  wider 
study  of  various  peoples  on  the  Western  Hemisphere.  Besides,  there 
were,  as  has  been  pointed  out.  several  linguistic  families  in  Mexico, 
who  were  as  wide  apart  as  Aryans  and  Magyars  in  Austria-Hungary; 
but  even  these  had  their  agreements  and  treaties  according  to  the  plan 
of  democracies.  (Bandelier,  1880,  with  rich  addition  of  footnote-.) 
Confirmatory  of  the  thoroughly  American  gentile  system  of  govern- 
ment and  social  order  in  Mexico  are  the  facts  relating  to  the  holding 
of  real  estate.  It  is  not  necessary  to  appeal  to  the  tribes  north  of  the 
Tropic  of  Cancer;  in  the  more  highly  cultured  tribes,  as  Bandelier 
shows  with  great  erudition  (1878),  no  man  owned  any  real  estate,  no 
office  owned  land,  all  government  land  was  independent  of  the  rulers, 
conquest  was  never  followed  by  partition  of  land,  the  notion  of  owner- 
ship in  fee,  of  sale,  barter,  conveyance,  or  alienation  was  undreamed  of. 

The  Southern  Confederacies  had  not  literally  beaten  their  swords 
into  plowshares,  hut  they  had  converted  the  hunting  implements, 
weapons,  and  devices,  with  many  improvements,  into  the  apparatus  of 
war. 

The  organization  of  the  army  was  not  different  essentially  from 
that  of  their  civil  government.  A-  in  the  Old  World  so  in  the  New. 
there  were  storm  centers  where  clouds  of  war  met  and  spent  their 
fury.  The  valley  of  Mexico  was  one  of  these;  hence  the  Dalmatian 
tribes  attained  the  highest  point  of  military  discipline  of  the  New- 
World.  Hut  their  weapon-  were  only  hows  and  arrows,  darts,  throw- 
ing sticks (atlatl),  javelins,  and  spears,  lor  piercing;  slings  and  clubs 
for  striking;  and  the  most  murderous  (did),  lined  on  either  side  with 
spalls  of  volcanic  glass,  for  slashing.  For  defense  they  had  shields, 
cotton  armor,  and  wooden  helmets,  like  those  of  the  Thlinkit  warriors 
in  recent  times.  As  is  customary  among  the  northern  Indians,  the 
Mexican  soldiers  decked  their  military  equipments  with  gorgeous 
featherwork. 

The  organization  of  the  army,  the  tactics,  the  strategy,  the  military 
engineering,  the  fortified  places  of  the  more  civilized  tribes,  doubt- 


ETHNOLOGY   AND    ARCHEOLOGY.  39 

less  were  of  a  higher  order  than  the  guerilla  methods  of  the  United 
States  tribes  of  two  hundred  years  ago.  On  the  other  hand,  they 
err  who  would  read  into  these  the  vocabulary  of  European  war  meth- 
ods of  the  times.  Bandelier  says  (1877,  161):  "The  Mexicans  were 
not  subject  to  a  despotical  power,  but  organized  after  the  principles 
of  a  barbarous  but  free  military  democracy.*' 

In  the  comparative  sense,  religion  consists  in  what  men  think  of  a 
spirit  world  and  what  they  do  in  consequence;  the  former  is  their 
creed,  the  latter  their  cult  or  worship.  Creed  has  to  do  chiefly  with 
the  personnel  and  physiography  of  the  spirit  world,  and  it  will  be  noted 
that  in  some  measure  that  world  is  the  reflection  of  this.  Its  supernal 
beings  are  organized  as  a  societj',  and  their  motives  as  well  as  their 
conduct  have  reference  to  human  beings. 

In  Cult,  human  society  is  organized,  buildings  are  erected,  costumes 
are  worn,  food  is  eaten,  days  are  observed,  and  certain  austerities 
practiced,  all  with  reference  to  beings  unseen  to  mortal  eyes,  but  cog- 
nizable by  a  special  sense.  The  most  refined  art  and  music  and  the 
best  of  everything  go  to  the  gods. 

On  this  definition  the  Mexican  religion  had  its  creed  and  its  cult, 
its  heaven  and  its  pantheon,  as  well  as  its  temples,  altars,  and  priest- 
hood; its  mythology  and  worship. 

The  northern  or  pueblo  tribes  of  Mexico  must  be  studied  in  the  light 
of  the  pueblo  tribes  of  Arizona,  worked  out  by  members  of  the  Bureau 
of  American  Ethnology.  Its  wild  tribes  lived  near  to  their  unseen 
world  like  their  brethren  of  the  north.  We  are  here  concerned  with 
the  religion  of  the  southern  families.  Bancroft  (1875,  iii)  devotes  five 
hundred  pages  to  the  religion  of  the  Pacific  coast  tribes;  the  larger 
part  is  given  to  the  topic  here  considered.  On  every  monument, 
sculptured  slab,  decorated  wall  or  vase,  the  spirit  world  is  manifested. 
1 t  is  a  Mexican  Pantheon.  The  warrior  god  is  supreme;  the  priests  are 
ministers  in  a  church  militant.  Sacrifice,  incense,  pomp  in  worship, 
revolting  rites,  prolonged  rituals,  obtrude  themselves  and  override 
industry  and  art. 

The  aesthetic  side  of  Mexican  life  in  aboriginal  times  covered  a  wide 
area,  but  nowhere  reached  an  enlightened  stage.  There  were  public 
fetes  and  games,  but  there  was  no  drama  per  se.  There  were  social 
rules  or  fine  art  of  behavior — in  the  open,  in  the  family,  at  the  feast, 
every  one  had  a  place;  but  behavior  where  there  was  so  little  furniture 
scarcely  rose  to  etiquette.  There  was  fine  art  of  dress  and  its  acces- 
sories, but  not  far  above  that  of  the  Mandan  Indians.  Vocal  music 
was  singing  in  unison,  and  there  are  those  who  say  that  the  Mexicans 
had  a  scale  of  notes  which  can  be  reproduced  on  an  organ  with  fixed 
pipes,  but  this  is  denied.  The  musical  instruments  of  the  Mexicans 
were  flageolets  and  flutes  of  wood,  bone,  and  pottery.  Whistles  of 
grotesque  shapes,  reed  instruments  of  unique  form,  drums  of  wood, 


40  Ml  XICO. 


(teponaztli),  and  with  heads  of  membrane  (huehuetl),  rattles  (ajacaxtli), 
and  bells  (yotl),  but  the  existence  of  stringed  instruments  is  doubtful, 
[n  some  of  the  sculptures  students  see  representations  of  this  class, 
but  others  as  clearly  witness  the  notched  rattle.     (Seler,  L898.) 

As  for  the  graphic  and  glyphic  art,  sculpture,  and  architecture,  the 
student  can  not  fail  to  note  everywhere  the  Bense  of  the  beautiful 
struggling  to  help  symbolism  and  to  disengage  itself  from  its  more 
childish  forms.  Unity,  proportion,  symmetry  are  all  there,  and  some 
of  tin'  world's  standard  tonus  have  been  reached.  One  well  qualified 
to  judge  has  said:  "Most  of  the  motives  employed  in  embellishment 
have  their  origin  in  religion;  their  use  was  first  significant  and  second 
aesthetic.  *  *  *  All  the  sculptor's  art  is  crude  as  compared  with 
civilized  art,  but  it  is  virile  and  full  of  promise  of  higher  achievement. 
*  *  *  There  is  lack  of  perspective  and  a  mixing  up  of  sizea,  and 
the  general  style  of  presentation  is  suggestive  of  that  of  the  ancient 
Egyptians."     (Holmes,  1895,  52.) 

No  other  part  of  the  Western  Hemisphere  has  such  abundance  and 
variety  of  attractions  for  the  archaeologist  as  the  territory  of  the 
Republic  of  Mexico.  In  order  to  comprehend  thisareaone  must  study 
the  pyramidal  mounds  of  the  Mississippi  Valley:  the  immense  log 
buildings,  sculptures,  and  totem  posts  of  the  north  Pacific  coast:  the 
massive  walls  and  composite  arrangement  of  the  pueblos;  the  infinite 
variety  of  geometric  patterns  and  designs  on  basketry;  not  neglect 
ing,  finally,  the  full-costumed  Crow  warrior  of  Montana,  wearing 
his  decorated  breech  clout  and  moccasins,  and  gorgeous  headdress  of 
eagle  plumes,  which  spans  his  head  like  a  huge  rainbow  and  descends 
to  the  ground  in  a  Long  train.  It  is  not  necessary  to  maintain  that  the 
sculptors  of  southern  Mexico  were  the  immediate  blood  kindred  and 
colinguists  of  all  these  widely  scattered  tribes.     Only  they  use  the 

same  alphabet  and  art  motive-.  The  Mexicans  were  mound  builders, 
totem  carvers,  pueblo  designers,  fretwork  weaver-,  and  costumers  in 
Btone,  the  material  which,  more  than  all  others  combined,  evoked  the 
virile  qualities  of  early  races. 

Regarding  the  antiquities  of  Mexico,  the  present  territory  may  be 
further  subdivided  into  (1)  the  Mayan  province,  east  from  Tehuan- 
fcepec,  including  Yucatan,  belonging,  perhaps,  to  Central  America; 
(2)  the  Nahuan-Zapotecan  province,  reaching  from  Quemada,  in  Zaca- 
tecas.  southward  to  Tehuantepec,  revealing  an  advanced  and  some- 
what mixed  culture:  (3)  the  Pueblo  province,  with  its  compound. 
Btoried  houses  and  smooth,  coiled  pottery,  which  is  not  bounded 
northward  by  the  boundary  line,  hut  reaches  far  into  the  United 
State-:  (4)  the  wild  province,  home  of  cliff  dwellers  and  devoid  of 
architecture  and  pottery.  The  antiquities  of  Mexico  do  not  end  with 
the  boundaries  of  the  Republic.  At  the  north,  the  Casas  Grandes,  in 
western  Chihuahua,  on   Casas  Grandes   River,  is  an   immense  adobe 


ETHNOLOGY    AND    ARCHAEOLOGY.  41 

structure,  allying  itself  with  the  present  and  ancient  pueblos  of  Ari- 
zona and  New  Mexico.  Moreover,  there  were  throughout  the  same 
region  and  southward  natural  and  artificial  cave  dwellings.  (Lumholtz, 
1898.)  At  the  southeast,  Mexico  passes  insensibly  from  the  Mayan 
culture  of  Yucatan  and  Chiapas  into  the  antiquities  of  Guatemala. 

The  mural  remains  of  the  Republic  are  comprised  within  narrow 
limits,  extending  from  the  sixteenth  to  the  twenty-second  parallel, 
from  Soconusco  to  Quemada.  Yet  in  this  contracted  area  are  to  be 
found  more  structures  of  stone  than  in  all  America  besides. 

Of  this  architecture  there  are  held  to  have  been  several  schools. 
Indeed,  this  should  be  looked  for,  since,  in  addition  to  the  natural  gates 
or  opportunities  opened  b}r  the  several  environments,  there  were  on 
this  territory,  in  rivalry,  several  linguistic  families.  In  Yucatan  and 
Tabasco  was  the  Mayan  family,  with  an  outlying  branch  in  northern 
Veracruz.  Next  to  them,  westward,  were  the  Zapotecan  and  the 
Zoquean  family,  and  in  a  circle  about  the  City  of  Mexico  were  Nahuatlan, 
Totonacan,  Otomian,  and  Tarascan  tribes.     (Brinton,  1891, 128-162.) 

Every  variety  of  material  enters  into  the  permanent  building,  to  wit, 
the  plain  dirt  heap,  the  modeled  dirt  heap  or  mass;  even  mountains 
were  remodeled;  sun-dried  clay,  either  as  bricks  or  in  larger  masses; 
stone  and  clay  or  other  bonding  material,  mixed  in  rubble,  used  in  vast 
quantities;  walls  faced  with  uncut  stone,  which  in  some  localities  was 
supplied  by  nature  in  good  form;  cut  stone  in  walls  laid  up  without 
adhesive  material;  stone  walls  laid  in  clay,  mortar,  and  cement;  carved 
architectural  features;  relief  carvings;  sculptures  in  the  round.  As 
for  the  adhesive  substances,  besides  clay  and  other  natural  cements, 
lime  mortar  has  been  mentioned  and  the  possibility  of  its  existence 
denied,  but  caustic  lime  was  not  beyond  the  Mexican  builders,  since 
burnt  shells  occur  universally  as  a  degraissant  in  American  pottery. 
There  was  no  lack  of  durable  wood  to  serve  as  lintels  to  doors  and  to 
support  ceilings.  This  material,  doubtless,  was  used  for  doors,  parti- 
tions, screens,  and  interior  decorations,  and  was  cut,  hewn,  and  carved 
with  great  skill.     (Holmes,  1895,  25.) 

The  architecture  was  oversolid,  and  consisted  of  rough  masses  of  dirt 
and  rude  masonry,  faced  with  smoothed  cut  stone.  L^vvard  encountered 
just  this  combination  in  excavating  Nineveh.  A  recent  investigator 
calls  attention  to  the  lack  of  the  best  elements  of  construction.  (Holmes, 
1895,  27-30.)  The  arch  and  the  dome  were  unknown.  Long  pen- 
tagonal openings,  with  horizontal  bases,  called  false  arches,  were  the 
best  that  the  architects  could  do.  On  this  overmassive  structure  there 
was  an  equally  barbaric  excess  of  decoration — false  fronts,  roof  combs, 
cornices,  mosaic  and  stucco  work.  One  imposing  feature  is  the  terrace 
and  stairway  presented  in  endless  variety,  affording  not  only  access  to 
superior  structures,  but  sitting  room  or  grand  stand  for  the  laity. 

The  two  central  features  about  which  all  plazas,  paved  ways,  banks 


42  MEXICO. 

of  earth,  and  walls  <>r  parapets  cluster  arc  tin*  pyramid  and  the  squared 
structure,  the  mound  and  the  log  house  made  in  stone.  Of  the  former, 
the  function  is  largely  outside;  of  the  latter,  owing  to  the  solidity  of 
the  walls,  it  is  only  partly  inside.  The  pyramid  may  have  additions 
interior  and  inferior,  but  its  attractive  part-  are  exterior  and  superior. 
The  built-up  and  squared  structure  lends  all  its  parts,  indeed,  to  the 
architect,  the  modeler,  and  the  sculptor,  hut  it  also  was  to  be  gazed  at 
from  without.  The  pyramid  was  divided  into  stories  by  placing  a 
series  of  truncated  pyramids  one  above  another  and  by  cutting  out 
terraces  from  a  single  form. 

In  the  most  important  remains  there  is  such  evident  relationship 
between  structure  and  structure  a-  to  prove  that  one  purpose  runs 
through  the  whole.  And  while  some  great  buildings  give  evidence  of 
accretions,  other-,  says  Holmes (1895,  23) — for  example,  the  palace  ;it 
Uxmal  and  the castillo  at  Chichen  show  that  when  the  building  began 
the  whole  plan,  to  the  niinute-t  detail,  had  been  thought  out.  Very  few 
of  the  buildings  are  accurately  oriented,  as  that  term  is  commonly 
understood.  Certainly  the  modern  style  of  laying  off  cities  in  rectangles 
wasas  little  known  in  .Mexico  as  among  the  European  contemporaries. 

Their  purposes  are  easily  harmonized  with  the  environment,  the  kin- 
ship system,  and  the  culture  system  of  the  peoples.  Some  of  them  are 
forts,  to  defend  whatever  was  in  them.  Some  of  them  were  religious, 
with  their  court  of  the  women,  court  of  the  laity,  and  the  other  socie- 
ties, court  of  the  society  and  pathway  of  the  priests  to  a  kind  of 
shrine  or  holy  of  holies,  [f  only  on  some  bright,  sunny  day  the  pageant 
could  return,  what  a  picturesque  sight  one  of  those  temple  structures 
would  afford,  having  every  terrace  and  stairway  tilled  with  gay  cos- 
tumes, to  which  goldand  silver  and  precious  stones,  the  efflorescence  of 
tlie  fields,  ami  the  plumage  of  birds  lent  their  willing  service. 

For  the  first  time  the  sites  of  archaeological  remains  in  Mexico  are 
here  codified  in  the  alphabetic  order  of  States.  Such  a  provisional 
li>t  will  serve  future  investigators  as  a  starting  point  for  additions  and 
correction-.  A  distinction  should  he  made  between  relics  and  remains. 
The  former  are  movable  and  personal,  and  can  not  always  he  relied  on 
for  location-,  but  remains  are  stationary  and  are  useful  on  the  -not. 
They  should  he  guarded  with  the  greatest  care  both  by  the  Govern- 
ment and  by  public  spirit  against  destruction  or  removal. 

ANCIENT    REM  ains    I  \    MBS  I'  ". 

Aguascalientes:   No  remains  reported. 

Baja  California:  Rock  paintings  and  inscriptions. 

Campeche:  Paved  n.a'l-.  or  calzadas;  terra-cotta  idols,  etc. 

Chiapas: 

nque,  ancienl  city  of  vast  extent,  Charnay,  L887;  Holmes,  L895;  Mamlslay, 
L897. 
Lorittard  City,  ruins  resembling  Palenque,  Charnay,  L887. 
ingo,  groups  of  ruins,  sculpture.-,  hieroglyphs. 


ANCIENT    REMAINS.  43 

Chihuahua:  Rio  des  Casas,  adobe  pueblos,  Casas  Grandes,  Thomas,  1899. 
Coahuila: 

San  Lorenzo,  rock  paintings,  mummies,  relics. 
San  Martin,  ruins  and  pottery. 
Colima:  No  remains  reported. 
Durango: 

BoUun,  rock  paintings  and  carvings,  mummies. 

La  Brena,   caves  yielding   relics;   between   Suchil  Valley   and   Chalchihuites, 
Cbichimec  remains. 
Guanajuato:  Only  cave  dwellings  and  relics. 
Guerrero:  Foundations,  remains  of  settlements. 
Vina,  ruins  and  burial  places. 
Tlapa,  tombs  called  Teteles. 
Hidalgo:  Tula,  pyramid,  sculptures,  idols,  relics,  Charnay,  1887;  Penafiel,  1890. 
Jalisco:  Artificialized  hills. 

L.  Chapala,  vestiges  of  ancient  settlements  and  pottery,  Starr,  1897. 
Mexico: 

Actopan,  pottery  relics. 
Ahuehuepa,  statue  bearing  hieroglyphics. 

Lj.  Chalco,  causeways  across  the  lake;  traces  of  ancient  city  on  Xico  Island; 
sculptures  on  Misquique  Island;  sculptures  at  Xochimilco;  carved  cylindrical 
stones  at  Tlahuac;  ancient  town  of  Culhuacan;  idols,  heads,  fallen  pyramids 
at  Tlalmanalco. 
Chapultepec,  carvings  on  cliffs. 
Malinalco,  ancient  wood  carvings. 

Mixico  City,  or  Tenochtitlan.     In  the  city  all   temples,  etc.,   have  been  razed; 
calendar  stone,  sacrificial  stone,  statue  of  Coatlicue,  sculptures  at  Tlatelulco; 
ruins  of  fortified  hill  at  Tenango,  Penafiel,  1890;  Holmes,  1897. 
Mecamecan,  rock  pyramid,  carved. 
Navajas,  obsidian  mines. 
Ozumba,  carved  blocks  of  stone. 
Remedios,  terraced,  stone-faced  hill. 
Taenia,  ruins,  pyramids  of  sun-dried  bricks. 

Tezcuco,  causeway  at  Chapingo;  idols,  pottery,  relics  at  Contador;  terraced  hill 
and  aqueduct  at  Tetzcutzinco  (Reyes,  1888);  stone  wall  in  mortar  at  Huejutla; 
ruins  of   ancient  city  at  Teotihuacan,   immense  pyramids  and  paved  way, 
Charnay,  1887;  Holmes,  1897;  Penafiel,  1899. 
Otumba,  ruins  at  Tulacingo  and  San  Miguel. 
Xonacatepec,  stone  masks,  carved  circular  stone. 
Yahualua,  tombs  with  stone  images,  northward. 
Tyupilco,  buildings  of  thin  blocks  of  stone. 
Zacualpan,  stone  masks  and  relics. 
Michoacan:  Opals  and  other  gems,  and    remains  at  Jiquilpan;  small  mounds  at 
Irimbo;  rock  carvings  on  Aniche  Island;  ancient  capital  of  Tarascos  at  Zint- 
zuntzan,  L.  Patzcuaro,  Leon,  1888-1890. 
Mokelos: 

Xochicalco,  terraced  hill,  paved  roads,  galleries,  hill  covered  with  masonry,  sum- 
mit platform,  fine  sculptures,  Penafiel,  1890,  ch.  viii. 
Cuernavaca,  figures  carved  on  bowlders;  temple  pyramid. 
Tepoztlan,  Saville,  1896;  Seler,  1898. 
Nueva  Leon:  No  antiquities  reported. 
Oajaca: 

Tehuantepec,  pyramids  with  stairs,  fortresses,  ruins,  underground  tombs,  pottery, 
Estrada,  1892;  ruins  of  Quiengola,  1890. 


44  MEXICO. 

(  >a.i.\i  \    ( iontinued. 

Magdalena,  statue  of  Zapotec  prophet,  Wixepecocha. 

/      / .'.  caves  with  painted  walls. 

LoaUaga,  mound  and  hieroglyphics. 

( 'hihuittan,  ancient  bridge 

Guatulco,  ruins  of  ancient  city. 

Tlacolula,  mound  of  earth. 

Quiyi  chapa,  ruined  fortn 

EUa,  underground  tombs,  images. 

Petioles,  skull  preserved  by  lime;  pyramid  at  Tepantepec,  tombs  al  Teotitlan. 

Quilapan,  mounds  everywhere. 

Monte  Albdn,  fortified  boly  place,  subterranean  chambers,  pyramid,  hieroglyphics, 
etc.,  Holmes,  L897. 

Zachila,  mounds,  burnl  bricks,  walls,  statues;  Tombs  of  Xoxo  (Saville,  1899  . 

Mitla,  finest  ruin  in  the  State  and  one  of  the  grandest  in  Mexico,  Charnay,  1867; 
Pefiafiel,  L890;  Holmes,  1897. 

Quietepec,  hill  covered  with  ruins,  platforms,  terrace  walls,  pyramid;  at  Tuxtepec, 
mound  63  feet  high. 

Hualmapam,  sculptures  in  low  relief,  pottery,  i_r« » 1  *  1  objects. 

Yanghiltan,  sculptured  human  figures. 
Poebla: 

Tehuacan,  ruins  of  stone  structures. 

child,  pyramid  of  hewn  stone,  cement  covering,  stairway. 

Tepiaca,  sculptured  head  and  slabs. 

Tepixe,  Btoried  pyramid,  hewn  stone,  lime  mortar. 
Oristdbal,  storied  pyramid,  stairway,  graded  way. 

Cholula,  storied  pyramid,  1,440  feet  square,  200  feet  high. 

Chalchicomula,  storied  pyramid  with  stairs. 

Quatulhguelchula,  relief;  ruins  at  San  Pablo. 
Quer&tabo: 

Queretaro  City,  fortified  hills,  pyramids,  works. 

Pueblita,  stone  walls,  sculptures,  mounds. 

Ranas,  forts,  pyramids  with  stairs,  burial  mounds. 

Toluquilla,  ancient  city  and  fort     Reyes,  1881. 

San  Juan,  mound  containing  idols. 
San  Luis  Porosi:  No  remains  reported. 
Binaloa:  Vestiges  of  ruins  a1  Mazatlan. 
Sonora:  Ruins  at  Babiacori;  grottos  at  Sohuaripa. 
Tamaulipas: 

Encarnacidn,  stone  idol. 

Cramelote  Greek,  mounds,  dressed  stone,  images,  pottery. 

Salt  Lab,  pyramidal  mounds,  stone  faced,  with  step.-. 

Zopila,  mounds  laced  with  stone,  carved  stones,  pottery. 

Tampico,  idols  of  basalt,  carvings,  pottery. 
Ti.am  ai.a: 

Malinche,  walls,  pyramid-,  stone  images. 

San  Pablo,  kneeling  figure  in  stone 

Natividad,  terraced  hill,  ruins,  standing  stones,  relic-. 

Cacaxtlan,  fort,  ditches,  underground  ways. 

Tlaxcala,  sculptures,  pottery,  stone  bridges,  brick  parapets,  obelisk  at  Pueblo  de 
los  Reyes,  wall  on  frontier  of  State. 

Jlzatlan,  ruins,  called  Xicotencatl. 
Veracruz: 

Veracruz  City,  ports,  pyramids,  foundations,  <:™vt's  west  of  the  city,  in  abun- 
dance. 


ANCIENT    REMAINS.  45 

Veracruz — Continued. 

Sacrifitios  I,  temple,  sepulcher,  relics. 
Caxapa,  ruined  city,  colossal  head. 
Orizaba-,  sculptured  yokes,  carvings,  grotto. 
Jalapa,  serpent  carved  in  rock. 
I'm  utr  National,  storied  pyramid,  with  stairs. 
Cordoba,  line  of  forts. 

Ceutla,  terraced  pyramid  faced  with  hewn  stone,  forts. 
Huatusco,  pyramid  with  broad  stairway,  forts. 
Mirador,  baths  and  rock  inscriptions. 
Zacuap&n,  pyramid,  plaza,  terraced  walls. 
TUtcotepec,  forts  and  aqueduct. 
ConsoquiUa,  fort,  plastered  pyramids,  idols,  relics. 
Calcahnalco,  forts,  pyramids,  columns. 
Misantla,  pyramids  of  hewn  stone  pavements,  ruins. 
Jaiancingo,  walls  of  hewn  stone,  subterranean  shrines. 
Papantla,  terraced  storied  pyramid;  other  pyramids  at  Mapilca  ranch. 
Tusapan,  pyramid  with  stairs,  building  on  top. 
MeUaltoyuca,  pyramids  of  hewn  stone,  pavements. 
Panuco,  statues  and  relics. 
San  Nicolas,  oven-like  chamber,  ruins. 
Yucatan: 

Uxmal,  immense  Maya  ruins;  also  pyramids,  sculptures,  and  statues  near  Uxmai, 

at   Senuisacal,    lluna,    Sacbe,    Nohcacab,    Xcoch,    Nohpat.      Charnay,   1887; 

Holmes,  1895. 
Kabah,  group  of  16  structures,  storied  buildings,  sculptures,  arches;  southeast 

from  Kabah,  ruins  at  Sanacte,  Xampon,  Chack,  Sabacehe. 
Zayi  and  Labnd,  Charnay,  1887;  Thompson,  1897b. 

Kenrick,  XHchmook,  and  Xul,  ruined  cities  and  paintings.     Thompson,  1898. 
Tekax,  ruins  at  Sacacal,  Ticum,  Santa  Maria,  and  Chacchob. 
LoUun,  caves,  underground  water  supply.     Mercer,  1897;  Thompson,  1897a. 
AMI  and  Manx,  remains  of  cities. 
Chicken  Itza,  ruined  city  and  forts,  sculptures;  near-by  ruins  at  Tinum,  Espita, 

Xocen,  Sitax,  Coba.     Charnay,  1887;  Holmes,  1895;  Mandslay,  1897. 
Ticul,  pyramidal  mounds,  ruins.     Charnay,  1887. 
Mayapan,  mounds,  sculptures,  remains  of  ancient  Maya  capital. 
MSrida,  on  ruins  of  ancient  city  of  Tahoo. 
Ake,  ruins  of  rude  architecture.     Charnay,  1887. 
Izamal,  pyramids,  sculptures.     Charnay,  1887;  Holmes,  1895. 
Bolonchin  wells  (cenotes),  sculptures. 
Labphak,  grand  Maya  ruin. 
Iturbide,  mound  of  ruins,  ancient  town,  remains  near  Noyaxche,  Macoba,  Man- 

keesh,  Jalal,  Yakatzib,  Becanchen. 
Tuloora,  walled  town.  Holmes,  1895. 
Cozumel,  buildings  and   cisterns.     Holmes,   1895.     Ruins  also  at  Point   Nisuc, 

mouth  of  Petampich  River,  Kancune  Island,  Mujeres  Island. 
Cayo  Ratones,  Cape  Catoche,  Yalahao,    Emal,  Monte  Cuyo,  Rio  Lagartos,  Port 

Silan. 
Ma.n-ani'i,  mounds  with  galleries,  ruins,  senotes  [underground  water  supplies). 

Owing  to  the  geological  formation  there  are  no  water  courses  on  the  surface.  ■ 
Zacatecas: 

Quemada.     Immense  ruins  on  mesa,  roads,  mounds,  dressed  stone,  terraces,  but 

no  inscriptions  or  architectural  decorations.     At  Quemada,  coming  southward, 

begin  those  monuments  in  stone  that  mark  the  virile  cultureof  southern  Mex- 
ico as  against  the  femina!  arts  in  clay  farther  north. 


4C)  MEXICO. 

In  oidrr  to  make  this  brief  summary  valuable  as  ;i  guide  t<>  students 
in  Mexican  archaeology  and  ethnology,  a  list  of  modern  works  is 
appended0  which  have  beeo  printed  since  II.  II.  Bancroft's  Native 
Races  of  the  Pacific  State-  (1874  75)  and  Justin  Winsor's  Narrative 
and  Critical  History  of  America  (1889)  appeared.  For  earlier  author- 
ities the  reader  can  not  overlook  Bandelier's  footnotes  and  that  won- 
derful result  of  patience  and  accuracy.  Sabin's  catalogue  of  works 
relating  to  America.  In  the  text  of  this  article  the  titles  here  given 
are  referred  to  by  dates,  following  the  plan  of  Dr.  C.  S.  Minot. 

See  <  baptej  XX,  page  423,  tor  list. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

GOVERNMENT  AND  CONSTITUTIONAL  ORGANIZATION— CITIZEN- 
SHIP—RIGHTS  OF  FOREIGNERS— GUARANTEES— ARMY  AND 
NAVY. 

Government. — The  Constitution  now  in  force  in  Mexico,  originally 
promulgated  February  5,  1857,  and  subsequently  amended,  declares 
that  the  Mexican  Republic  is  established  under  the  representative, 
democratic,  and  federal  form  of  government,  composed  of  States  free 
and  sovereign  in  everything  relating  to  their  internal  administration, 
but  united  in  one  single  federation  in  accordance  with  the  principles 
set  forth  in  said  Constitution.  The  Supreme  Government  is  divided 
into  three  coordinate  branches,  viz,  Legislative,  Executive,  and  Judicial. 

Legislative  poicer. — The  legislative  power  of  the  nation  is  vested  in 
a  general  Congress,  consisting  of  two  Chambers,  the  Deputies  and  the 
Senate.  The  Chamber  of  Deputies  is  composed  of  representatives  of 
the  nation  elected  every  two  }Tears  by  the  Mexican  citizens  and  in  the 
proportion  of  one  Deputy  for  every  -10,000  inhabitants,  or  fraction 
over  20,000,  the  term  of  service  being  two  years,  an  alternate  number 
being  elected  for  each  Deputy. 

The  requisite  qualifications  to  be  a  Deputy  are:  To  be  a  Mexican 
citizen  in  the  full  exercise  of  his  rights,  25  }Tears  of  age,  a  resident  of 
the  State  or  Territory  where  chosen,  and  not  to  belong  to  the  eccle- 
siastical state.  In  1897  there  were  227  members  in  the  Chamber  of 
Deputies. 

The  Senate  consists  of  two  Senators  for  each  State  and  the  Federal 
District,  chosen  in  the  same  manner  as  Deputies,  and  subject  to  the 
same  limitations  as  to  citizenship,  residence,  and  civil  status,  but  the 
age  limit  is  30  years,  and  the  term  of  service  four,  half  the  Senate 
being  renewed  every  two  years. 

Federal  officeholders  receiving  a  salary  are  ineligible  for  election  to 
either  Chamber. 

Congress. — The  Congress  has  two  ordinary  sessions  annually — the 
first,  which  may  be  extended  thirty  days,  beginning  on  September  16 
and  ending  on  December  15,  and  the  second  may  be  prorogued  for 
fifteen  days,  convening  on  the  1st  of  April  and  adjourning  on  the  last 
day  of  May. 

During  the  recesses  of  Congress  a  permanent  committee,  with 
limited  legislative  functions,  sits,  composed  of  29  members,  15  being 

47 


4s  mi: xi i  o. 

Deputies  and  14  Senator-,  appointed  by  the  respective  Chambers  on 
the  eve  of  adjournment.  The  duties  of  this  committee  are:  T<>  give 
assent  to  tin-  calling  oul  of  the  National  Guard  Tor  use  beyond  the 
limits  of  their  respective  States  and  Territories;  to  call,  on  their  own 
motion  or  at  the  instance  of  the  President,  extra  sessions  of  either  or 
both  Chambers;  to  confirm  certain  Executive  nominations;  to  admin- 
ister the  oath  to  the  President  and  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court:  to 
report  on  all  matter-  unacted  on  by  the  previous  Congress,  so  that  the 
next  may  have  business  to  take  up  immediately  upon  convening. 

Executive  power. — The  Executive  power  is  lodged  in  a  single  indi- 
vidual, known  as  the  "President  of  the  United  Mexican  States." 

The  President  is  elected  indirectly  by  electors  chosen  by  the  people. 
His  term  of  office  is  four  years,  commencing  on  the  1st  day  of  Decem- 
ber after  election.  By  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  under  date 
of  December  '20,  1890,  he  may  be  reelected  indefinitely.  Temporary 
vacancies  in  the  Presidency  are  tilled  by  the  person  serving  as  Sec- 
retary of  State,  while  in  case  of  death  or  permanent  disability  a  pro- 
visional President  is  elected  by  Congress,  who  discharges  the  ollice 
until  one  is  elected  by  the  people. 

Following  are  the  qualifications  requisite  for  President: 

(1)  To  be  a  native-born  Mexican  citizen,  in  the  full  exercise  of  his 
rights. 

(2)  To  be  :;.".  years  of  age. 

(3)  To  not  belong  to  any  ecclesiastical  order. 

(4)  To  be  a  resident  of  the  country  at  the  time  of  election. 
Cabinet. — The  President  i>  assisted  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  by 

a  Cabinet,  consisting  of  seven  Secretaries,  heads  of  the  Departments 
of  Foreign  Relations;  Finance  and  Public  Credit;  Communications 
and  Public  Works:  Promotion,  Colonization,  and  Industry;  Interior; 
Justice  and  Public  Instruction:   War  and  the  Navy. 

Cabinet  officers  must  be  native-born  Mexican  citizens,  and  at  least 
•_'.".  year-  of  age.  All  Executive  regulations,  decrees,  and  orders  must 
he  countersigned  by  the  head  of  the  department  to  which  they  refer, 
otherwise  they  are  inoperative. 

Salaries.     The  salary  of  the  President  is  |50, »  per  annum,  and  of 

the  Cabinet  officers  $15,000. 

Judicial  power.  The  judicial  power  is  vested  in  the  Supreme  Court 
of  dust  ice  and  the  district  and  circuit  courts.  There  are  three  circuit 
and  thirty-two  district  courts.  The  Supreme  Court  of  .Justice  is  com- 
posed of  eleven  "ministros,"  or  justices,  four  alternate  justices,  an 
Attorney-General,  and  a  public  prosecutor.  Their  term  of  oftice  is 
six  years,  and  they  are  elected  by  the  people  indirectly,  in  the  same 
manner  as  Deputies  and  Senator-.  The  qualifications  required  are  to 
be  learned  in  the  law.  in  the  judgment  of  the  electors;  to  heat  least  36 
years  of  age,  and  to  be  Mexican  citizens  in  the  full  exercise  of  their 
rights. 


state's  government.  49 

Federal  courts  have  jurisdiction — 

(1)  In  all  cases  arising-  from  the  enforcement  and  application  of  Fed- 
eral laws,  save  when  such  application  affects  only  private  interests,  in 
which  case  the  ordinary  courts  of  the  States,  Federal  District,  and 
Territories  shall  be  competent  to  assume  jurisdiction. 

(2)  In  admiralty  cases. 

(3)  In  cases  to  which  the  Federation  is  a  part3T. 

(4)  In  cases  arising-  between  two  or  more  States. 

(5)  In  cases  arising  between  a  State  and  one  or  more  citizens  of 
another,  or  between  two  or  more  States. 

(6)  In  civil  or  criminal  cases  arising  from  treaties  concluded  with 
foreign  powers. 

(7)  In  cases  affecting  diplomatic  and  consular  agents. 

The  Supreme  Court  of  Justice  has  original  jurisdiction  in  all  cases 
arising  between  two  States,  and  in  those  wherein  the  Union  is  a  party. 
This  court  must  also  settle  all  controversies  arising  among  the  Federal 
courts,  between  these  and  the  State  Courts,  or  between  the  courts  of 
two  States.  The  Supreme  Court  is  also  the  court  of  last  resort  in  all 
other  cases  here  mentioned. 

The  jurisdiction  of  the  Federal  courts  extends  also  to  all  cases  grow- 
ing out  of  (1)  laws  or  acts  of  any  authority  infringing  on  individual 
rights;  (2)  laws  or  acts  of  the  Federal  authority  violating  or  limiting 
the  sovereignty  of  the  States;  (3)  laws  or  acts  of  the  latter  encroaching 
on  the  Federal  authority. 

The  salary  of  Supreme  Court  justices  is  $5,000  and  of  circuit  and 
district  judges  $i,000  a  year. 

State's  government. — As  provided  by  the  Federal  Constitution,  the 
interior  government  of  the  States  is  republican,  representative,  and 
popular,  and  is  divided  into  the  same  branches  as  the  General  Govern- 
ment. 

1.  The  legislative  power  in  the  large  majority  of  the  States  is  vested 
in  a  single  representative  body  called  a  congress,  the  members  of 
which  are  called  deputies,  and  are  in  most  States  elected  indirectly  by 
the  people,  serving  two  years. 

2.  The  executive  power  is  lodged  in  a  governor,  elected,  almost 
without  exception,  by  indirect  vote  of  the  people,  and  serving  for  four 
years. 

3.  The  judicial  power  in  the  greater  number  of  States  resides  in  a 
supreme  court  of  justice  and  inferior  courts  and  judges. 

The  States  are  divided  politically,  as  a  rule,  into  districts  governed 
by  &jefe  politico,  or  a  prefect.  The  minor  divisions  are  municipalities, 
the  local  authority  being  an  ayuntamiento,  corresponding  to  the  town 
council  in  the  United  States  of  America.  Each  State  is  bound  to 
deliver,  without  delay,  criminals  from  other  States  to  the  authority 
demanding  them. 
509a— 04 4 


50  MEXICO. 

Limitations.  By  the  Federal  Constitution  the  States  are  prohibited 
from 

(1)  Concluding  any  alliance,  treaty,  or  league  with  another  State  or 
foreign  powers,  except  the  league  which  may  be  formed  between 
frontier  Stales  for  offensive  or  defensive  warfare  against  savages. 

(2)  Issuing  letters  of  marque  or  reprisal. 

(3)  Coining  money,  issuing  paper  money,  stamps,  or  stamped  paper. 

(4)  Obstructing  the  transit  of  person-  or  goods  crossing  its  territory. 

(5)  Prohibiting  or  molesting,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  the 
entrance  or  exit  to  or  from  its  territory  of  national  or  foreign 
merchandise. 

((!)  Obstructing  the  circulation  or  consumption  of  national  or  for- 
eign goods  by  means  of  imports  or  taxes  that  may  be  exacted  through 
local  custom-houses,  by  requiring  the  inspector  of  registration  of 
packages,  or  by  requiring  the  documentation  t<>  accompany  the 
merchandise. 

(7)  Decreeing  or  maintaining  in  force  law-  or  fiscal  decrees  which 
may  cause  differences  of  taxes  or  requisites,  by  reason  of  the  source  of 
national  or  foreign  merchandise,  whether  these  differences  be  estab 
lished  in  regard  to  a  like  production  in  that  locality  or  on  account  of 
like  production  from  different  sources. 

Nor  can  they,  without  the  consent  of  the  Congress  of  the  Union 

(1)  Establish  tonnage  or  any  other  port  dues,  nor  impose  burdens 
or  duties  upon  imports  or  exports. 

(2)  Maintain  at  any  time  a  standing  army  or  ships  of  war. 

(?>)  Make  war  by  themselves  on  any  foreign  power,  save  in  cases  of 
invasion  or  of  danger  so  imminent  as  to  admit  of  no  delay,  in  which 
cases  they  must  immediately  report  to  the  President  of  the  Republic 

Powers  of  the  Federation. — Itis  the  exclusive  faculty  of  the  federa- 
tion to  obstruct  merchandise,  imported  or  exported,  or  which  passes 
in  transit  through  the  national  territory,  likewise  to  regulate  at  all 
times,  and  even  to  prohibit  for  reasons  of  policy  and  security,  the  cir- 
culation within  the  Republic  of  all  merchandise  from  whatever  source; 
but  the  said  federation  can  not  establish  or  decree  in  the  District  or 
Federal  Territories  the  taxes  and  laws  expressed  as  regard  the  States. 
The  Federal  District  and  the  Territories  are,  as  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  under  the  control  and  jurisdiction  of  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment, although  the  local  authorities  are  elected  by  the  people,  a-  are 
Deputies  and  Senators  to  the  National  Congress.  The  population 
necessary  to  entitle  a  Territory  to  statehood  is  L20,000  inhabitant- at 
least. 

CONSTITUTION . 

The  Mexican  Constitution  recognizes  that  the  rights  of  man  are  the 
foundation  and  the  end  of  social  institutions,  and  consequently  every- 
one is  bound  to  respect  and  give  support  to  the  guarantees  granted  by 


PROHIBITIONS.  51 

it;  that  the  national  sovereignty  is  essentially  and  originally  vested  in 
the  people;  that  all  public  authority  emanates  from  the  people  and  has 
been  instituted  for  the  good  of  the  people;  that  the  people  have,  at 
any  time,  the  inalienable  right  of  altering  or  modifying  the  form  of 
government;  and  exercises  its  sovereignty  through  the  national  and 
State  governments  as  prescribed  by  the  Federal  Constitution  and  the 
constitutions  of  the  several  States,  the  latter  constitutions  in  no  case 
whatever  being  allowed  to  obstruct  the  provisions  of  the  Federal 
compact. 

( bnstitutional  rights. — All  persons  born  within  the  territory  of  the 
Republic  are  free,  and  slaves  become  free,  and  are  under  the  protection 
of  the  law  upon  entering  the  country.  Education  is  free,  except  as 
regards  the  exercise  of  certain  professions  regulated  by  the  laws.  Free- 
dom to  exercise  the  liberal  professions,  freedom  of  thought  and  of  the 
press,  are  guaranteed,  the  latter  with  the  restrictions  imposed  by  the 
rights  of  others,  peace  and  public  morality.  The  rights  of  petition 
and  of  peaceful  organization  are  recognized.  The  right  to  own  and 
carry  arms  for  lawful  self-defense  and  protection  is  also  recognized, 
subject,  however,  to  the  restrictions  of  the  law;  also  the  right  to  freely 
enter,  leave,  and  travel  over  the  Republic  and  to  change  one's  residence, 
without  passport  or  any  similar  document,  subject,  however,  to  the 
judicial  or  administrative  authority  in  cases  of  criminal  or  civil  respon- 
sibility. 

The  inviolability  of  correspondence  circulating  through  the  mails  is 
recognized,  the  infractors  being  severely  punished.  Private  property 
can  not  be  occupied  without  the  consent  of  its  owner,  except  in  cases 
of  need  for  public  service,  an  indemnification  having  been  previously 
paid,  as  prescribed  by  law.  The  quartering  of  soldiers,  in  time  of  peace, 
upon  the  propert}1-  of  individuals  is  forbidden,  as  well  as  in  time  of 
war,  save  under  the  regulations  established  by  law. 

Prohibitions. — Titles  of  nobility,  hereditary  honors,  and  preroga- 
tives are  not  recognized,  nor  is  the  authority  or  judgment  of  special 
laws  or  privileged  courts.  Ex  post  facto  laws  and  the  conclusion  of 
treaties  for  the  extradition  of  political  offenders,  also  such  treaties  or 
agreements  as  shall  in  any  manner  alter  the  rights  and  guarantees 
accorded  to  men  and  citizens  by  the  Constitution  are  expressly  pro- 
hibited, as  well  as  the  right  of  search  without  a  warrant  issued  by 
competent  authority. 

Imprisonment  for  debt  of  a  purely  civil  nature  is  abolished.  Vio- 
lent measures  in  the  support  of  individual  rights  are  prohibited,  as  the 
administration  of  justice  by  the  courts  is  done  gratuitously.  Arrest, 
except  for  offenses  meriting  corporal  punishment,  is  prohibited,  as  is 
also  detention  without  trial  for  a  longer  period  than  three  days,  unless 
justified  as  prescribed  by  law.  The  authorities  are  empowered  to 
punish  severely  any  ill  treatment  inflicted  upon  prisoners,  either  at  the 


52  MEXICO. 

time  of  arrest  or  while  imprisoned,  as  well  as  any  other  abuses.  The 
rights  tit'  the  accused  are  guaranteed,  the  application  of  penalties  other 
than  those  purely  correctional  being  limited  exclusively  to  the  judicial 

authority.  Mutilation,  branding,  whipping,  clubbing,  torture,  exces- 
sive fines,  confiscation  of  property,  and  any  other  form  of  infamous 
punishment  is  prohibited.  The  death  penalty  is  limited  to  the  crimes 
of  high  treason  during  a  foreign  war,  highway  robbery,  arson,  parri- 
cide, willful  murder,  high  military  crimes,  and  piracy,  as  provided 
by  law. 

No  eivil  or  ecclesiastical  corporations  of  any  description  are  per- 
mitted to  acquire  or  manage  landed  estates,  with  the  exception  of  the 
buildings  directly  devoted  to  the  service  <>r  objects  of  the  institution, 
nor  are  religious  institutions  permitted  to  acquire  landed  estates  or 
the  capital  invested  thereon,  except  as  prescribed  by  law. 

Monopolies  of  all  descriptions,  under  pretext  of  industrial  protec- 
tion, are  prohibited,  excepting  the  Government  monopolies  of  coinage 
and  the  postal  service,  and  the  limited  privileges  granted  bj  law  to 
patentees  of  any  useful  invention. 

Suspension  of  the  constitutional  guarantees. — The  President,  with 
the  concurrence  of  his  ( labinet  and  the  approval  of  Congress,  or.  during 
it-  recess,  the  Congressional  Permanent  Committee,  may  suspend  all 
constitutional  guarantees  in  ease  of  invasion,  grave  internal  disorder. 
or  serious  disturbance  endangering  the  State,  but  only  for  a  limited 
period  and  by  means  of  general  orders:  such  suspension,  however, 
according  to  the  law.  not  to  affect  individuals. 

CITIZENSHIP. 

Section  II  of  the  ('(institution  declares  that  Mexican  citizens  are 
(1)  all  person-  born  in  the  country,  or  abroad,  of  Mexican  parent.-; 
(-2)  all  foreigners  naturalized  under  the  laws  of  the  federation:  (3)  all 
foreigners  acquiring  real  estate  in  the  Republic  or  begetting  children 
by  Mexican  mothers,  unless  distinct  claim  of  citizenship  elsewhere  is 
avowed  in  Ayw  legal  form.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  Mexican  to  defend 
the  independence,  territory,  honor,  rights,  and  interests  of  the  country, 
ami  to  contribute  to  the  general  expense-,  both  of  the  federation  and 
of  the  State  where  he  resides,  as  prescribed  by  law. 

Rights  of  citizens. — Citizens  of  the  Republic  are  those  who.  besides 
being  Mexican-,  are  over  L8  years  of  age,  if  married,  or  21,  if  unmar- 
ried, and  possess  honest  mean-  of  Livelihood.  Their  prerogatives  are. 
the  right  to  vote  in  the  popular  elections;  to  he  elected  by  vote  to  all 
the  charges,  posts,  and  commissions  for  which  they  are  legally  quali- 
fied; to  organize  for  the  purpose  of  treating  of  the  political  affairs  of 
the  country:  to  enter  either  the  general  army  or  the  national  guard, 
in  order  to  defend  the  Republic  and  its  institutions,  and  to  exercise 
the  right  of  petition  in  all  matter-. 


ALIENS.  53 

Duties. — The  duties  of  the  Mexican  citizen  are,  to  be  inscribed  in 
the  register  of  his  municipality,  stating-  the  amount  of  property  he 
holds,  or  the  trade,  profession,  or  industry  he  is  engaged  in;  to  enlist 
in  the  national  guard;  to  vote  in  the  elections  of  his  district;  and  to 
faithfully  discharge  the  duties  pertaining  to  an}'  post  to  which  he  may 
be  elected  in  the  Federation. 

Forfeiture  of  citizenship. — Citizenship  is  forfeited,  (1)  through  natu- 
ralization in  a  foreign  country;  (2)  by  serving,  in  an  official  capacity. 
the  government  of  another  country,  or  by  accepting  from  a  foreign 
government  decorations,  titles,  or  charges  —  other  than  literary, 
scientific,  or  humanitarian  —  without  previous  consent  of  the  Fed- 
eral Congress.  The  law  determines  the  cases  and  form  entailing  the 
loss  or  suspension  of  the  rights  of  citizenship  and  the  manner  of 
rehabilitation. 

ALIENS. 

Under  date  of  May  28,  1886,  a  law  was  passed  by  the  Mexican 
Government  governing  aliens  and  their  naturalization,  which  is,  in 
substance,  as  follows: 

Rights  of  aliens. — Aliens  enjoy  in  the  Republic  the  civil  rights 
belonging  to  Mexicans  and  the  guarantees  granted  by  section  1  of 
title  1  of  the  Constitution,  without  prejudice  to  the  Government's 
right  to  expel  a  pernicious  alien. 

For  the  acquisition  of  waste  or  public  lands,  real  estate,  and  ships, 
aliens  are  not  required  to  reside  in  the  Republic,  but  they  are  subject 
to  the  restrictions  imposed  by  existing  laws;  in  the  understanding, 
nevertheless,  that  every  lease  of  real  estate  to  an  alien  for  a  period 
exceeding  ten  years  shall  be  deemed  a  full  conveyance. 

The  Federal  law  alone  can  modify  or  abridge  the  civil  rights  enjoyed 
by  aliens,  in  consequence  of  the  principles  of  international  reciprocity, 
and  in  order  that  the  aliens  may  therein*  be  subject  in  the  Republic  to 
the  same  disqualifications  as  the  laws  of  their  own  country  impose  on 
Mexicans  residing  there;  hence  the  provisions  of  the  civil  code  and  of 
the  code  of  civil  procedure  of  the  Federal  District  on  this  subject  have 
a  federal  character,  and  shall  be  obligatory  throughout  the  whole 
Union. 

Aliens  may  be  domiciled  in  the  Republic  for  all  legal  purposes  with- 
out losing  their  nationality.  The  acquisition,  change,  or  loss  of 
domicile  are  governed  by  the  laws  of  Mexico. 

When  the  suspension  of  individual  guarantees  is  declared  under  the 
provisions  of  article  29  of  the  Constitution,  aliens,  as  well  as  Mexicans, 
are  subject  to  the  provisions  of  the  laws  decreeing  the  suspension, 
without  prejudice  to  the  stipulations  of  treaties. 

Limitations. — Aliens  are  bound  to  contribute  to  the  public  expenses 
in  the  manner  prescribed  by  the  laws,  and  to  obey  and  respect  the 
institutions,  laws,  and  authority  of  the  country,  subjecting  themselves 


54  mi:  xi  co. 

to  the  judgments  and  decisions  of  the  courts,  and  having  no  right  to 
have  recourse  to  other  measures  than  those  which  the  law  grants  to 
Mexicans.  They  may  appeal  to  the  diplomatic  channel  only  in  the 
case  of  denial  of  justice  or  intentional  delay  in  its  administration,  after 
exhausting  in  vain  the  ordinary  means  created  by  the  laws,  and  in  the 
manner  prescribed  by  international  law.  Aliens  can  not  enjoy  any  of 
the  political  rights  of  .Mexican  citizens.  Aliens  are  exempt  from  mili- 
tary -ei-vice.  Domiciled  alien-  are  hound,  however,  to  perform  police 
service  when  the  security  of  property  or  the  maintenance  of  order  in 
the  locality  in  which  they  are  residing  is  involved. 

Aliens  taking  pari  in  the  civil  dissensions  of  the  country  may  be 
expelled  from  its  territory  as  pernicious  aliens,  and  are  subject  to  the 
laws  of  the  Republic  asto  the  offenses  which  they  may  commit  against 
it.  without  prejudice  to  the  regulations  of  their  rights  and  obligations 
during  a  stale  of  war.  by  international  law  and  treaties. 

Citizenship. — The  laws  ordering  the  registration  of  aliens  are 
repealed.  The  Ministry  of  Foreign  Relations  alone  can  issue  certifi- 
cates of  any  given  nationality  in  favor  of  the  person  requesting  them. 
These  certificates  constitute  legal  presumption  of  foreign  citizen-hip. 
but  do  not  exclude  proof  to  the  contrary.  The  final  proof  of  any  given 
nationality  is  made  before  the  competent  courts,  and  by  the  means 
prescribed  by  the  laws  and  treaties. 

Aliens  who  have  acquired  real  estate  and  who  have  had  children 
horn  to  them  in  Mexico,  or  who  have  held  any  public  office  are  bound 
to  declare  within  six  months  after  the  promulgation  of  this  law.  if  they 

have  not  done  so  previously,  before  the  civil  authorities  of  their  place 
of  residence,  whether  they  wish  to  acquire  Mexican  citizenship  or 
retain  their  own.  In  the  former  case  they  must  immediately  ask  for 
their  certificate  of  naturalization.  If  they  fail  to  make  the  declara- 
tion in  question  they  shall  be  considered  Mexicans,  except  in  those 
cases  where  there  has  been  an  official  declaration  to  this  end. 
Colonists  in  Mexico  come  under  the  provisions  of  this  last  article. 

GENERAL    PROVISIONS. 

The  following  are  among  the  general  provisions  of  the  Constitution: 
In  time  of  peace  no  military  authority  can  exercise  any  other  functions 
than  those  intimately  connected  with  military  discipline.  The  state 
and  the  church  are  independent  of  each  other,  it  being  the  exclusive 
right  <»f  the  Federal  Executive  to  exercise,  in  the  matter  of  religious 
worship  and  external  discipline,  the  intervention  prescribed  by  law. 
Marriage  is  a  civil  contract,  which,  like  any  other  act  of  the  civil 
state  of  individuals,  falls  under  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  of  the  civil 
officials  and  authorities,  as  prescribed  by  law  and  having  only  the 
force  and  validity  that  law  accords  it.     The  Constitution  is  inviolable. 


ARMY    AND    NAVY.  55 


ARMY    AND    NAVY. 


At  the  close  of  the  protracted  period  of  wars  and  revolutions  which 
had  distracted  the  Republic  the  Mexican  army  lacked,  in  general  terms, 
the  technical  instruction  and  organization  impossible  to  attain  in  the 
midst  of  active  warfare.  Since  the  establishment  of  peace  the  Govern- 
ment has  taken  two  steps  of  prime  importance  toward  the  improve- 
ment of  the  army  and  navy  of  the  countiy — one  the  complete  reorgan- 
ization of  both  branches  of  the  service,  and  the  other  the  reduction  of 
the  standing  army.  To  this  end  the  Military  School,  which  has  fur- 
nished many  intelligent  officers  and  engineers,  has  been  reorganized. 
There  is  also  a  Naval  Academy  for  the  training  of  officers,  a  school  of 
marksmanship,  a  school  for  the  training  of  military  bands  and,  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  country,  are  187  academies  for  the  instruction 
of  citizens  who  desire  to  enter  the  second  reserve  of  the  army.  The 
old  infantry  armament  has  been  replaced  by  the  latest  improved  arms; 
the  most  modern  ordnance  has  been  substituted  for  the  obsolete  artil- 
lery pieces;  the  national  arms  and  powder  factories  have  been  equipped 
with  the  most  improved  machinery,  and,  in  short,  everything  has  been 
done  to  place  the  army  of  the  Republic  on  a  footing  with  the  general 
progress  of  the  nation. 

All  Mexicans  capable  of  bearing  arms  are  obliged  to  serve  either  in 
the  regular  army  or  the  national  guard.  The  army  is  composed  of 
regular  and  auxiliary  troops  of  the  reserve.  The  strength  of  the  reg- 
ular army  is  fixed  by  law  at  30,000  men,  that  of  the  reserve  at  28,000 
men.  and  that  of  the  second  reserve  at  150,000  men.  The  troops  are 
not  formed  into  army  corps  except  in  case  of  mobilization. 

Shortly  after  the  restoration  of  the  He  public,  in  1867,  the  army  con- 
sisted of  37,103  privates,  officered  by  11  major-generals,  73  brigadier- 
generals,  1,011  colonels,  lieutenant-colonels,  and  majors,  and  2,335 
commissioned  officers. 

At  present  the  regular  army  establishment  is  made  up  as  follows: 

Infantry. — Twenty -eight  battalions,  1  skeleton  battalions,  2  com- 
panies of  District  troops,  1  section  of  scouts,  the  auxiliary  troops  of 
Sonora  (18  officers  and  219  men),  and  the  Yucatan  guard  (21  officers 
and  101  men). 

Cavalry. — Fourteen  regiments  and  1  skeleton  regiments,  Federal 
Auxiliaiw  Corps  (15  officers  and  298  men),  and  the  Sonora  Auxiliaries 
(62  men). 

Artillery. — Two  regiments  of  mounted,  1  regiment  of  horse,  1  reg- 
iment of  mountain,  1  troop  with  rapid-fire  guns.  1  train.  1  battery  and  3 
sections  of  garrison,  1  company  of  mitrailleuse.  Further  there  are  1 
battalion  of  sappers  and  miners,  1  park  of  engineers,  1  troop  of  trans- 
port, 1  signal  corps  section,  1  hospital  corps. 

Arms. — The  infantry  is  armed  with  Mauser  rifles  of  the  pattern  of 
1901,  7  mm.  caliber.     The  cavalry  with  carbines  of  same  pattern.     The 


56 


MEXICO. 


Artillery  have  Bange  guns  of  7.'.'  c.  m.  caliber.     The  mountain  bat- 
teries have  guns  of  the  Gruson  pattern.     The  reserves  have  the  Mauser 
rifleof  ls'-,.">.     The  machinery  forthe  manufacture  of  ammunition  was 
imported  from  ( lerniany  in  L902. 
The  strength  of  the  army  on  peace  footing  was  in  L902: 


Minister  of  War.  stuff,  and  President's  Guard 

Administration 

1 11  fun  try 

Cavalry 

Artillery 

Engineers 

Hospital  Service 

Invalid  Corps 


Officers.       Men. 


384 
1,066 

575 
161 

154 

in 


101 

675 
15,796 

- 

290 

3'J 


66 
19 

6, 569 

:•■'■.: 
19 
13 


Pack  ani- 
mals. 


907 

1,024 
286 

;.i 


The  effective  strength  in  time  of  war  is  given  at  3,500  officers  and 
L20, men  infantry,  20,000  men  cavalry,  and  6,000  men  artillery. 

Navy. — The  navy  consists  of  the  Democraia;  gunboat  <>l'  the  first 
class,  450  tons,  600  horsepower,  4 guns.  Libertad,  430  tons.  4in>  horse- 
power, 5  guns.  Zaragoza  (school-ship),  L, 200  tons,  L, 300  horsepower, 
8  guns.  Oaoeaca,  transport;  Yucatan  (sailing  ship),' and  2  schooners. 
Two  combined  gunboats  and  transports,  Tampico  and  Veracruz,  are 
under  construction  at  Elizabethport,  N.  J.,  and  2  other  gunboats  are 
being  built  in  Italy.  The  personnel  of  the  navy  consists  of  L30 
officers  and  292  men. 


CHAPTER  V. 

POLITICAL  DIVISION— THE  VALLEY  OF  MEXICO  AND  THE  FED- 
ERAL DISTRICT— CAPITAL  CITY,  PRINCIPAL  BUILDINGS,  PUBLIC 
INSTITUTIONS. 

POLITICAL    DIVISIONS. 

Territorial  division. — The  territory  of  the  United  Mexican  States 
(Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos)  is  divided  into  1  Federal  District,  27 
States,  and  2  Territories,  whose  organization  is  almost  identical  with 
that  of  the  American  Union.  The  States,  as  before  indicated,  are  free 
and  sovereign  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  their  internal  administration, 
their  government  being  vested  in  three  heads,  namely:  State  govern- 
ment, State  legislature,  and  State  judicial  power.  The  States  and 
Territories  are,  for  convenience,  classified  as  follows,  according  to  their 
situation: 

Cut  ml  States. — Federal  District,  Aguascalientes,  Durango,  Gua- 
najuato, Hidalgo,  Mexico,  Morelos,  Puebla,  Queretaro,  San  Luis  Potosi, 
Tlaxcala,  and  Zacatecas,  with  and  area  of  372,480  square  kilometers. 

Northern  States. — Chihuahua,  Coahuila,  Nuevo  Leon,  and  Sonora, 
measuring  658,032  square  kilometers. 

Gulf  States. — Campeche,  Tabasco,  Tamaulipas,  Veracruz,  Yucatan, 
and  Territorio  de  Quintana  Roo,  323,610  square  kilometers. 

Pacific  States. — Baja  California,  Colima,  Chiapas,  Guerrero,  Jalisco, 
Michoacan,  Oaxaca,  Sinaloa,  and  Tepic,  whose  combined  area  measures 
629,037  square  kilometers. 

The  two  Territories  are  Tepic  and  Baja  (Lower)  California. 

The  Valley  of  Mexico. — The  picturesque  and  extensive  valley  of 
Mexico  comprises  an  extensive  plain,  broken  occasionally  by  isolated 
hills  and  surrounded  by  two  large  mountain  chains.  Several  ranges 
cross  the  valley  west  and  south,  while  on  the  east  rises  the  great 
Sierra  Nevada,  formed  by  the  majestic  Popocatepetl  and  the  Ixta- 
cihuatl,  the  former  rising  3,200  meters  above  the  mean  level  of  the 
valley  and  5,452  meters  above  sea  level  and  the  latter  5,286  meters 
above  the  level  of  the.  sea.  The  northern  boundary  of  the  valley 
has  not  yet  been  defined.  The  area  of  the  valley  is  given  as  4,214 
square  kilometers,  not  including  the  1,532  square  kilometers  of  the 
Zumpanga  Valley,  but  both  should  be  considered  as  forming  one  single 
valley,  whose  combined  area  is  5,746  square  kilometers. 


58  MEXICO. 

The  waters  of  the  valley  form  two  distinct  watersheds,  onr  sloping 
in  an  easterly  direction  and  the  other  toward  the  west,  both  embracing 
a  number  of  small  streams.  Spurs  of  the  lateral  mountain  ranges  close 
the  valley  north  and  south,  it-  center  thus  forming  a  basin  when'  the 
waters  of  the  two  watersheds  collect,  forming  five  lakes,  namely:  Zum- 
pango,  2,284  meters  above  sea  level:  Kultocan  and  San  Cristobal,  in 
the  north,  2,277  meters  above  sea  level;  Chalco  and  Xochimilco,  in 
the  south.  2,280  meters  and  2,268  meters,  respectively, above  sea  level: 
and  Lake  Texcoco,  on  whose  western  shore  lies  the  city  of  Mexico. 
This  last  is  the  largest  of  all  the  lakes,  being  at  the  present  day  about 
30  square  kilometers  in  extent,  though  in  former  times  it  covered  a 
larger  area.  As  it  lie-  in  the  lowest  point  of  the  valley  all  the  surplus 
water  of  the  other  lakes  drain  into  it  during  the  rainy  season,  thus 
causing  frequent  inundations  in  the  capital,  to  prevent  which  a  system 
of  drainage  has  been  established. 

The  "  Guia  General  Descriptiva  de  la  Republics  Mexicana,"0  from 
which  the  information  in  regard  to  the  Federal  District  has  been  ob- 
tained, divides  the  work  undertaken  for  the  proper  drainage  of  the 
valley  of  Mexico  into  four  epochs.  In  the  year  L449,  during  the  rule 
of  Moctezuma,  the  first  dams  connecting  Tenochtitlan  (Mexico)  with 
Tepeyac  (Guadalupe)  and  Xochimilco  were  constructed.  During  the 
Colonial  Empire  (1553)  a  curved  dam  was  built  to  replace  those  de- 
stroyed by  Cortes  during  the  war.  others  being  built  in  L604and  L708. 
During  the  republican  regime  President  Comonfort,  in  L856,  invited 
the  competition  of  experts,  both  native  and  foreign,  whose  plans  for 
the  drainage  works  should  fulfill  certain  conditions,  among  them  being 
the  stipulation  that  the  waste  waters  be  always  used  for  irrigation 
purposes.  Of  the  seven  projects  presented  that  iA'  Engineer  Francisco 
Garay  was  selected,  and  the  work  has  lately  been  finished  in  accord- 
ance with  his  plans.  The  delay  in  the  completion  of  the  work  was  due 
to  several  disturbances  in  the  country  until,  in  L885,  President  l>iaz 
approved  an  appropriation  of  $400,000  a  year  for  the  continuance  of 
the  work  until  it  should  be  finished,  which  was  successfully  effected 
in  1896  at  a  cost  of  $13,000,000.  The  work  on  the  main  canal,  which 
necessitated  the  removal  of  1.0,215,000  cubic  meters  of  earth,  kept 
3,000  men  and  5  dredging  machines  constantly  employed.  During  the 
progress  of  the  work  upheavals  of  the  soft  bed  of  the  canal  occurred 
several  times,  thus  rendering  it  necessary  to  commence  the  work  anew. 
The  canal  starts  at  a  point  east  of  the  city  about  on  a  level  with  Lake 
Texcoco,  1.30  meters  below  the  mean  level  of  Mexico,  crosses  the  river 
Guadalupe  by  means  of  an  aqueduct  .")<»  centimeters  above  the  mean 
level  of  the  river,  extends  for  a  distance  of  t8  kilometers,  penetrating 
deeper  and  deeper  into  the  earth  until  it  enters  a  tunnel  10  kilometers 
in  length,  constructed  at  a  slight  incline  and  furnished  with  ventholes 

a  Compiled  by  J.  Figueroa  Domenech- Araluce,  publisher,  -Mexico,  1899. 


FEDERAL    DISTRICT.  59 

to  a  depth  of  91  meters.  The  works  are  provided  with  a  s}rstem  of 
lock  gates,  which  insure  control  of  the  waste  waters  and  regulate  the 
level  of  Lake  Texcoco,  thus  preventing-  inundations.  The  works  were 
formally  inaugurated  on  March  17,  1900.  Their  entire  cost  from  1886 
to  June  30,  1900,  when  they  were  finally  delivered  to  the  department 
of  communications,  is  estimated  at  $15,967,778.a  The  valley  of  Mexico 
has  undergone  a  great  modification  with  the  opening  of  the  main  canal. 
The  waters,  which  formerly  emptied  into  the  small  lakes,  and  owing 
to  the  configuration  of  the  land,  had  no  natural  outlets,  thus  constitut- 
ing at  times  centers  of  infectious  diseases,  are  now  drained  into  Lake 
Texcoco  and  can  be  controlled  at  will,  either  allowed  to  flow  out  when 
too  abundant,  or  retained  for  irrigation  purposes  in  case  of  need. 

Climate  of  the  valley. — As  the  valley  is  situated  within  the  torrid 
zone  its  climate  might  naturally  be  expected  to  be  exceedingly  hot, 
but  as  its  altitude  above  sea  level  is  2,280  meters,  the  mean  tempera- 
ture is  that  of  the  temperate  zone.  During  the  summer  the  maxi- 
mum temperature  is  reached  at  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  in  the 
months  of  April  and  May  and  does  not  exceed  20°  C.  (78.80°  F.),  while 
the  lowest  temperature  in  the  morning  during  the  same  months  is 
about  10°  C.  (50°  F.),  the  mean  temperature  being  from  18°  to  19°  C. 
(61°  to  Q6°  F.).  During  the  winter  the  minimum  temperature 
recorded  in  the  mornings  of  November,  December,  and  January,  is 
about  2°  C.  (35°  F.),  wkile  the  maximum  experienced  during  the 
same  months  is  from  19°  to  20°  C.  {66°  to  68°  F.),  the  mean  tempera- 
ture being,  therefore,  about  12°  C.  (53.60  F.).  As  indicated  by  these 
figures  the  mornings  are  cool  and  pleasant  all  the  year  and  the  after- 
noons temperate.  There  are  only  two  seasons — the  dry  season  from 
October  to  March,  and  the' rainy  season  from  April  to  September. 
The  rainfall  throughout  the  3Tear  is  not  very  heav}T,  but  as  it  is  all 
utilized  in  the  valley  for  irrigation  purposes,  it  equals  in  its  effect  a 
much  larger  quantity.  The  winds  blow  from  the  northeast,  but  are 
never  so  strong  as  to  become  hurricanes. 

Natural  products. — The  natural  products  of  the  valley  are  exclu- 
sively of  an  agricultural  character  and  in  keeping  with  the  aridity  of 
the  soil,  corn,  wheat,  and  vegetables  being  the  leading  products  in  the 
order  named.  The  "maguey"  grows  well,  also  certain  fruits,  such 
as  the  "zapote,"  peaches,  apples,  etc.  The  abundance  of  flowers 
during  the  whole  year  throughout  the  valley  is  as  remarkable  as  the 
lack  of  mineral  wealth,  so  plentiful  elsewhere  within  the  Mexican 
territory. 

Federal  District. — The  Federal  District/'  population  51L516,  lies  to 

«  Except  when  otherwise  specified,  all  values  from  Mexican  official  statistics  are  in 
Mexican  silver. 

''The  population  given  throughout  the  hook  is  according  to  the  latest  corrections 
to  the  census  of  1900. 


60  MEXICO. 

the  southeast  of  the  valley,  between  L9  3'  and  L9  31'  north  latitude 
and  L0' 40"  east  and  11'  45"  west  of  the  meridian  of  Mexico.  At  its 
greatest  Length  the  District  measures  I'.i  kilometers  from  southeast 
to  north,  and  its  extent  east  and  west  is  40  kilometers.  Official  data 
in  regard  to  the  area  give  it  as  1,498.75  square  kilometers.  Nearly 
one-half  of  the  rural  inhabitants  of  tin'  District  an'  Indians  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Public  instruction.  The  total  number  of  primary  government  or 
five  schools  in  the  district  in  L902  was  337,  of  which  L43  were  for 
males,  the  same  number  for  females,  and  51  for  both  sexes,  the  total 
number  of  students  registered  being  55, 1 L3.  There  were  also  3  second- 
ary or  preparatory  schools,  the  average  attendance  for  both  sexes  being 
1. •;:'.]  ])(■]•  annum,  and  L3  government  professional  schools,  besides  171 
educational  institutions  controlled  by  private  individuals. 

Vital  statistic*. — Demographic  statistics  for  L902  -how  that  the 
number  of  births  in  the  Federal  District  in  L901  was  estimated  at 
1.6,261,  of  which  S.oTl  were  males  and  7.  >'.'<>  females.  The  number  of 
deaths  for  the  same  period  was  29,285,  of  which  L5,265  were  males 
and  1.4,020  females,  or  28,985  Mexicans  and  300  foreigners. 

Telegraphs  "ml  telephones. — According  t«.  the  latest  official  data 
(1902)  there  are  in  the  Federal  District  1  < »T  kilometers  of  Federal  tele- 
graph lines,  and  L,692  of  Federal  telephones. 

Political  divisions. — The  Federal  District  i>  divided  into  -i.\ 
pref  cturas  and  one  municipality,  as  follows:  Prefecture  of  Guadalupe- 
Hidalgo,  Atzcapotzalco,  Tacubaya,  Tladpam,  Xochimilco,  and  Coyoa- 
can,  whose  chief  towns  hear  the  name  of  the  respective  prefecture-. 
and  the  municipality  of  Mexico,  capital  of  the  Republic. 

Prefecture  of  Guadalupe- Hidalgo.  Population,  16,f61;  embraces 
the  northern  portion  of  the  district,  being  divided  into  two  munici- 
palities: Ixtacalco  and  Guadalupe-Hidalgo.  The  chief  town  of  the 
prefecture  is  in  constant  communication  with  the  capital  by  means  of 
tramways.     The  municipality  of  Guadalupe  is  celebrated  on  account 

of  the  temple  dedicated  to  Our  Lady  of  Guadalupe,  the  patron  saint 
of  the  Republic,  who,  according  to  tradition,  appeared  on  the  hill  of 
Tepeyac  within  the  town  of  Guadalupe.  The  soil  of  the  prefecture 
is  barren  toward  the  east,  hut  salt  deposits,  left  through  the  evapora- 
tion of  Lake  Texcoco,  are  abundant,  the  main  sources  of  exploitation 
being  chloride  of  sodium,  carbonate  of  soda,  and  nitrate  of  potassium. 
There  is  also  a  petroleum  well  at  Guadalupe,  and  the  surrounding  hills 
yield  tine  building  stones.  There  is  not  a  great  variety  of  vegetation, 
it  being  confined  almost  exclusively  to  the  western  portion  of  the 
prefecture,  the  leading  produce  being  corn,  vegetables,  and  maguey. 
Prefecturi  of  Tacubaya. — Population,  37,695;  occupies  the  south- 
east portion  of  the  Federal  District  and  is  formed  by  four  municipalities: 
Tacubaya,  Mixcoac,  Santa  Fe,  and  Coaximalpa.     The  chief  town   is 


XOCHIM1LCO.  61 

Tacubaya,  the  principal  pleasure  resort  of  the  valle}r,  and  possessing 
fine  buildings  and  gardens.  The  National  Astronomic  Observatory  is 
a  handsome  building  of  modern  architecture,  erected  on  the  highest 
point  of  the  town,  and  containing  some  very  fine  instruments.  The 
San  Miguel  and  Monte  de  las  Graces  mountain  peaks  form  the 
southern  boundary  of  the  prefecture,  and  several  streams  originating 
on  their  slopes  irrigate  the  land,  which  is  the  best  agricultural  section 
in  the  whole  district,  and  supply  drinking  water  for  the  city  of  Mexico. 
As  is  the  case  throughout  the  entire  district,  corn  is  the  chief  agricul- 
tural product,  though  in  Tacuba3Ta  and  Mixcoac  floriculture  is  carried 
on  extensively,  this  industry  giving  rise  to  floral  expositions  and  fairs. 
Fruits  may  also  be  cultivated  with  care. 

Prefecture  of  Tlalpam — Population  22,962;  embraces  five  munici- 
palities. It  is  situated  between  Tacuba}Ta  on  the  west,  Xochimllco 
on  the  east,  Mexico  on  the  north,  and  the  States  of  Mexico  and  Morelos 
on  the  south.  Tlalpam  is  also  the  name  of  its  chief  town,  which,  after 
Tacubaya,  is  the  principal  summer  resort  for  the  inhabitants  of  the 
capital.  Situated  on  a  picturesque  spot,  where  the  mountain  slopes 
merge  into  the  plain,  it  presents  the  peculiarity  of  possessing  fertile 
lands  in  one  section  and  absolutely  sterile  soil  in  another.  The  munici- 
pality of  San  Angel  is  noted  on  account  of  the  "'Feast  of  Flowers" 
held  there,  when  prizes  are  awarded  to  cultivators  of  fruits  and  flowers. 
Embellished  with  innumerable  gardens,  tilled  with  the  richest  flowers, 
and  orchards  producing  the  finest  fruits  and  vegetables,  and  enriched 
with  palatial  dwellings,  there  are  few  more  charming  spots  in  the 
world.  The  southern  portion  of  the  prefecture  embraces  the  slope  of 
Mount  Ajusco,  whose  ramifications  extend  northwardly  as  far  as  San 
Angel  and  Tlalpam,  where  the  plain  commences.  The  small  streams 
of  the  localit}T  empty  into  the  canal  of  Xochimilco. 

Prefecture  of  Xochimilco — Population  52,025;  occupies  the  eastern 
and  southern  portions  of  the  district  and  contains  nine  municipalities. 
Xochimilco,  the  chief  town,  is  one  of  the  oldest  cities  of  the  Anahuac 
Valley.  It  lies  on  the  shores  of  what  was  formerly  Lake  Xochimilco, 
which  no  longer  exists  in  its  original  form,  the  waters  having  been 
drained  into  numerous  canals  for  the  advantageous  irrigation  of  the 
now  fertile  lands  surrounding  it.  The  leading  products  are  the  same 
as  in  the  other  prefectures.  The  topography  of  this  region  is  varied, 
and  while  it  is  not  traversed  by  a  single  natural  stream,  the  soil  is 
extremely  fertile,  as  the  several  canals  carrying  the  waters  of  the 
rivers  Tlalmanalco  and  Tenango  to  the  Xochimilco  Canal  irrigate 
the  lands,  and  in  the  mountainous  region  of  the  south  sufficient 
moisture  is  supplied  by  the  frequent  rains  to  maintain  a  vigorous 
vegetation,  corn  being  the  principal  product.  The  produce  of  the 
region  is  transported  to  the  capital  in  canal  boats.  The  other  munici- 
palities are  Coyoacan  and  Atzcapotzalco,  23,161  and  20,011  inhabitants, 
respectively. 


62  MEXICO 

Physical  features.  From  the  foregoing  it  is  evidenl  that  mountains 
and  yalleys  arc  the  main  physical  features  <>t'  the  Federal  District. 
To  the  north  rise  the  ramifications  of  the  Sierra  de  Guadalupe,  from 
300  to  230  meters  above  the  level  of  the  capital,  while  the  east  and 
center  is  an  extensive  plain  broken  only  by  the  Santa  Catarina  and 
Estrella  mountains,  respectively  200  and  L50 meters  above  the  level  of 
the  city.  Sedimentary  soil  to  a  depth  of  50  meters  is  found  all  over 
the  plain,  while  the  mountain  regions  are  composed  of  eruptive  rocks 
and  granite.  The  small  valleys  between  the  mountains  contain  abun- 
dant vegetable  matter. 

Vafoju  of  property.-  -The  area  of  cultivation  in  the  Federal  District 
is  about  three-fourths  its  whole  extent.  The  value  of  property  varies 
according  to  irrigation  facilities  and  the  means  of  communication. 
Public  lands  fluctuate  betv  ecu  is  and  20  cents  per  square  meter,  while, 
other  lands,  in  better  condition,  command  as  much  as  50  cents.  'Within 
the  City  of  Mexico  property  in  the  northern,  southern,  and  eastern 
sections  is  quoted  at  2  to  6  pesos"  the  square  meter:  from  30  to  ::;. 
pesos  on  the  west  side,  and  in  the  central  section  as  high  as  200  pesos 
pel-  square  meter. 

THE   CAPITAL   CTTr. 

Municipality  of  Mexico. — The  municipality  of  Mexico  embraces  the 
capital  proper  and  the  surrounding  country,  its  maximum  radius  being 
s  kilometers,  with  a  population  of  368,898.  Besides  the  city  proper, 
the  other  points  of  interest  in  the  municipality  are  Chapultepec,  Santa 
Anita,  and  the  Hot  Springs  of  El  IVfion. 

77n  ( 'apital  ( 'ity. — The  City  of  Mexico,  2,229  meter-  above  the  sea, 
population  :'>44.7:il .  is  one  of  the  most  ancient  cities  of  this  continent, 
having  been  successively  the  capital  of  the  Aztec  Empire,  of  the  Span- 
ish colony  of  New  Mexico,  and  now  of  the  Republic,  being,  in  addi- 
tion the  child'  town  of  the  Federal  District. 

Its  foundation  dates  from  L325  or  1327,  when  the  Aztecs,  after 
long  wanderings,  were  directed  by  the  oracle  to  settle  on  this  -pot 
where  they  had  seen  the  auspicious  omen  of  an  eagle  perched  on  a 
nopal  (cactus)  devouring  a  snake,  which  is  at  present  embodied  in  the 
coat  of  arms  of  the  Republic. 

The  original  name  of  the  city,  Tenochtitlan  ("cactus  on  a  -ton.'"). 
was  changed  afterwards  to  Mexico,  in  honor  of  the  war  god  Mexitli. 
The  A/tec  civilization  gave  great  impetus  to  the  city's  development, 
and  in  1450,  or  about  that  time,  the  mud  and  rush  houses  of  the  first 
inhabitants  had  been  replaced  by  solid  stone  structures.  It  had 
attained  it-  highest  degree  of  splendor  at  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the 
Spaniards  (1519),  the  number  of  dwellings  being  from  50,000  to  60,000, 

>One  peso  is  equal  t.>  |0.461  American  gold,  as  officially  estimated  <>n  January  J, 
1904,  by  thedirector  of  the  United  States  mint. 


CLIMATE.  63 

and  the  population  being  estimated  at  500,000.  The  city  was  then 
about  12  miles  in  circumference  and  was  intersected  by  canals,  and,  as 
it  had  been  built  in  part  on  piles  amid  the  islets  of  Lake  Texcoco, 
grouped  around  the  center  inclosure  of  the  great  Teocalli,  it  was  con- 
nected with  the  mainland  by  six  long  and  solidly  constructed  cause- 
ways. Mexico  City  has  been  the  scene  of  many  stirring  events; 
among  others,  the  destruction  in  1692,  while  under  Spanish  rule,  of 
all  the  municipal  buildings;  several  revolutions;  capture  by  the  United 
States  Army  after  the  battle  of  Chapultepec,  September  13,  1817, 
and  by  the  French  army  under  General  Forey  in  1863.  Since  the 
defeat  of  the  French  intervention  scheme  in  1867,  and  the  overthrow 
of  Maximilian,  peace  has  been  maintained  continually  and  the  city  has 
become  a  great  center  of  civilization. 

The  limits  of  the  present  City  of  Mexico  embrace  almost  twice  the 
area  of  the  old  one,  the  extension  having  been  in  a  northwester!}"  direc- 
tion, and  the  new  portion  not  being  so  regularly  laid  out  as  the  old. 
There  are  about  900  streets  and  lanes  traversing  the  city  at  right 
angles  from  north  to  south  and  from  east  to  west,  and  rail  connections 
with  Veracruz,  263  miles  distant,  on  the  Atlantic;  with  Acapulco  on 
the  Pacific,  290  miles;  with  Oaxaca,  205  miles;  with  Matamoras,  on 
the  United  States  frontier,  863  miles,  and  with  El  Paso,  Tex.,  a  dis- 
tance of  1,221  miles. 

Climate. — The  climate  of  the  City  of  Mexico  is  probably  the  pleas- 
antest  and  healthiest  of  any  large  city  in  the  world.  Situated  in  the 
Tropics,  it  is  generally  regarded  as  having  a  tropical  climate,  with 
intense  heat  in  the  summer  months;  but  its  altitude  of  2,229  meters 
above  sea  level  offsets  its  low  latitude,  tempers  its  climate,  and  renders 
impossible  such  marked  changes  in  temperature  as  are  experienced  at 
lower  altitudes.  Its  situation  in  the  center  of  a  great  valley,  some  200 
miles  in  circumference,  completely  walled  in  by  high  mountains,  serves 
as  a  further  protection  against  sudden  changes  in  temperature  and 
severe  storms.  The  mean  annual  temperature,  in  the  shade,  of  the 
City  of  Mexico  for  the  period  of  twenty-five  years  past  has  been  about 
15°  centigrade  or  59.79°  F.  The  month  of  May,  just  preceding  the 
beginning  of  the  rainy  season,  is  the  hottest  month  of  the  year,  with 
an  average  temperature  of  about  18°  centigrade  or  61.58°;  and 
December,  with  an  average  temperature  of  12°  centigrade  or  53.60°, 
is  the  coldest. 

While  the  temperature  varies  only  a  few  degrees  throughout  the 
year,  the  daily  range  is  comparatively  great,  due  to  the  high  altitude. 
There  is  always  a  marked  difference  between  sun  and  shade  tempera- 
tures and  between  day  and  night  temperatures.  The  latter  is  an 
advantage  rather  than  a  drawback  to  the  climate.  Thus,  while  it  is 
quite  warm  during  several  hours  of  each  day,  it  is  always  cool  at 
night. 


64  mi- m«  o. 

Principal  buildings.-  Among  the  principal  public  buildings  are  the 
Cathedral,  considered  the  largest  and  most  sumptuous  church  in 
America.  It  is  builton  the  north  side  of  the  Plaza  de  la  Constituci6n, 
which  covers  L4  acres,  and  is  embellished  with  shade  trees,  gardens, 
marble  fountains,  and  seats.  The  Cathedral  was  founded  in  1573  by 
Philip  II.  nt'  Spain,  and  the  work  lasted  through  the  reigns  of  four 
monarchs,  extending  nearly  a  century,  and  was  completed,  with  the 
exception  of  the  towers,  in  L667,  at  a  cosl  of  12,000,000.  Ii  is  built 
on  the  same  site  once  occupied  by  the  Teocalli,  or  Aztec  Temple,  and 
measures  130  meters  from  north  to  south  and  60  meters  from  east  to 
west.  The  interior  belongs  to  the  Doric  order  of  architecture,  mingled 
with  reminiscences  of  the  (iothic  style,  a  feature  of  the  Spanish 
constructions  of  the  sixteenth  century.  It  is  divided  into  .">  naves, 
decreasing  in  height  from  the  center  to  the  sides,  and  includes  14 
chapels,  while  l'<»  striate  columns  support  the  graceful  arches  and 
vaulted  roof,  forming  a  latin  cross,  and  the  whole  is  surmounted  by  a 
beautiful  dome,  ornamented  with  paintings  by  the  celebrated  Jimeno. 
The  high  altar  is  supported  by  marble  columns  and  surrounded  by  a 
tumbago  balustrade,  with  i'-l'  statues  of  the  same  rich  gold,  siher.  and 
copper  alloy  serving  as  candelabra,  The  elaborately  carved  choir  is 
also  inclosed  by  tumbago  railings  weighing  26  tons  and  valued  at 
$1,500,000.  The  style  of  the  exterior  is  Renaissance,  with  5  domes 
and  2  open  towers  62  meter-  high.  Other  temples  worthy  of  men- 
tion are  the  Profesa,  Loreto,  Santa  Teresa.  Santo  Domingo,  and  San 
Hipolito.  all  of  large  proportions  and  containing  artistic  relics. 

The  National  Palace  (Palacio  Nacional)  i>  another  of  the  most  remark- 
able public  buildings,  as  it  is  intimately  connected  with  the  history  of 
the  country,  having  been  once  the  sumptuous  abode  of  Moctezuma  II. 
last  hut  one  of  the  A/tec  Emperor-:  also  the  residence  of  '<  Spanish 
Governors  (from  Cortes  to  Gonzalo  de  Estrada)  of  2  Audiencias,  of 
63  Viceroys  (from  Don  Antonio  de  Mendoza  to  O'Donoju),  of  1  Mexi- 
can Emperor.  Yturbide,  of  1  foreign  Emperor.  Maximilian,  and  of  •"'.•". 
Presidents  of  the  Republic,  from  General  Victoria  to  General  Diaz, 
the  present  Chief  Magistrate.  The  architecture  of  the  building  i- 
poor  and  monotonous,  and  nothing  remains  of  its  former  Aztec 
splendor.  The  area  occupied  by  the  palace  measures  40,000  square 
meters,  thus  constituting  one  of  the  largest  public  buildings  in  the 
world,  and  include-  the  following  departments:  The  Presidential  suite 
of  reception  rooms;  the  Ambassadors' room;  live  Executive  Depart 
ments  (Interior,  Foreign  Affairs,  Treasury.  War.  and  Justice);  the 
General  Archives  of  the  Nation:  General  Post-office  and  Engineers' 
headquarters;  the  Artillery  headquarters;  the  National  Museum  and 
Observatory;  the  Meteorological  Bureau,  and  others. 

The  Castle  of  Chapultepec  rises  from  the  top  of  a  hill,  west  of  the 
city,  amid  century -old  trees  and  beautiful  gardens.     Both  the  castle 


PUBLIC    INSTITUTIONS.  65 

and  the  location  are  full  of  historic  memories.  The  interior  of  the 
structure  is  tastefully  and  richly  decorated,  it  being  the  summer  home 
of  the  President.  Its  spacious  rooms  and  galleries  contain  the  finest 
rugs  and  Gobelin  tapestries,  beautiful  frescoes  in  the  Pompeian  style, 
and  artistic  furniture  of  red  African  marble.  The  Military  School 
occupies  a  portion  of  this  building. 

There  are  many  other  tine  buildings  in  the  city  too  numerous  to 
mention  separate!}'.  Among  the  public  monuments  are  found  the 
statue  of  Charles  IV,  the  monument  to  Columbus,  the  monument  to 
Cuauhtemoc,  all  on  the  "Paseo  de  la  Reforma,"  the  richest  and  most 
beautiful  park  in  this  city. 

The  principal  theaters  are  the  ""Teatro  Nacional,"  or  opera  house, 
with  a  seating  capacity  of  3,000  persons;  the  "Teatro  Principal,"  a 
small  building;  the  " Circo  Orrin,"  and  others.  There  are  also  two 
bull  rings,  a  race  track,  etc. 

Public  institutions. — The  School  of  Mining  and  Engineering  is 
another  remarkable  building,  constructed  entirely  of  stone,  and  dating 
from  the  last  century.  Its  facade  is  Doric  and  of  imposing  and  severe 
beauty,  while  the  interior,  of  the  same  architectural  style,  is  ornamented 
with  several  frescoes  hy  Jimeno.  The  School  of  Engineering  is  now 
annexed  to  the  School  of  Mining,  and  possesses  an  astronomical  and 
meteorological  observatoiy,  a  library  containing  over  6,000  volumes, 
and  cabinets  of  mineralogy,  geology,  and  paleontology.  The  Depart- 
ment of  Fomento  (Promotion)  occupies  a  portion  of  this  building, 
where  it  has  its  own  printing  establishment. 

The  National  Library  was  originally  built  for  a  church,  being  dedi- 
cated to  St.  Augustine  in  1692,  but  in  1807  President  Juarez  devoted 
it  to  its  present  use.  It  is  a  massive  stone  structure  of  varied  archi- 
tecture and  consists  of  three  sections — the  main  structure,  ornamented 
with  the  statues  of  ancient  and  modern  celebrities,  is  devoted  to  the 
reading  room;  the  library  proper,  containing  over  200,000  volumes, 
and  the  whole  building  is  surrounded  by  gardens  and  inclosed  within 
an  iron  railing,  with  stone  columns  at  regular  intervals,  upon  which 
are  erected  20  busts  representing  as  rnaivy  Mexican  celebrities,  among 
others  being  Tezozomoc  and  Ixtlilxochitl,  Aztec  chroniclers;  Netza- 
hualcoyotl,  the  poet  king;  Clavijero  and  Alaman,  historians,  etc. 

Besides  the  National  Library,  the  city  possesses  32  others,  both 
Federal  and  private  libraries,  among  which  the  following  may  be  men- 
tioned: The  School  of  Jurisprudence,  20,000  volumes;  the  "Cincode 
Mayo,"  12,000;  Preparatory  School,  10,000;  School  of  Engineering, 
8,0oi ». 

The  National  Museum  dates  from  the  eighteenth  century,  and  con- 
tains man}-  objects  of  archaeological,  ethnological,  anthropological,  and 
historical  value.  There  are  other  museums,  11  scientific  and  literary 
associations,  2  observatories — the  National,  already  mentioned,  and  the 
509a— 04 5 


66  MKXICO. 

one  belonging  to  the  School  of  Engineering — a  Conservatory  of  Music, 
and  several  scientific  associations.  According  to  the  census  of  L900, 
there  were  in  Mexico  City  L5,042  dwelling  houses  of  all  classed  and 
539  in  course  of  construction.  .">»;  hotels.  It;  hospitals.  .".1  colleges,  1 
public  jails,  1  penitentiary,  1  house  of  correction,  17  barracks,  80 
Roman  Catholic  temples,  and   L3  churches  of  all  other  denominations. 

According  to  the  latest  available  data,  in  L902  there  were  in  the 
City  of  Mexico  94  daily  papers  and  magazines,  reviews,  weekly  and 
fortnightly  publications  entered  in  the  post-office,  published  in  Span- 
ish, English,  French,  and  German. 

Means  of  communication. — The  City  of  Mexico  being  both  the 
administrative  and  the  commercial  center  of  the  Republic  is  the  focus 
of  all  the  railways  from  the  States,  whose  tracks  are  also  used  for  the 
service  of  the  District.  The  National  Railway,  which  connects  the 
Republic  with  the  United  States,  passes  through  Tacuba  and  Atzcapot- 
zalco;  the  Mexican,  connecting  the  capital  with  Veracruz,  passes 
through  Los  Reyes  and  the  Cuernavaca  through  several  other  towns. 
The  steam  railroads  operating  solely  within  the  District  are  the  Tacu- 
baya  Railway,  connecting  with  the  lines  going  west  to  Santa  Ke  and 
south  to  Tizapdn,  and  the  Thilpam  Railway,  which  goes  through 
ChurubuSCO,  San  Antonio.  Santa  Ursula,  and  Hueypulco.  Other 
important  railways  of  the  District  are  the  tramways  of  the  capital, 
leaving  the  city  about  every  half  hour  and  connecting  it  with  several 
adjacent  towns.  These  are  the  Tlanepautla  line,  which  runs  through 
Tacubaya  and  Atzcapotzalco;  the  line  to  Guadalupe;  the  line  to  the 
Hot  Springs  of  El  Pefion;  the  line  of  Ixtapalapa,  connecting  several 
small  towns,  and  the  Chapultepec  line,  with  the  railroad  of  Tlalpam. 
There  are  besides  good  wagon  roads  and  the  Xochimilco  Canal,  which 
is  the  medium  of  communication  by  boat.  According  tothe"Guia 
General,"  there  are  in  the  District  about  242  kilometers  of  railroads  in 
operation,  as  follow-:  Standard  gauge.  l<i(.>  kilometers  325  meters,  and 
narrow  gauge,  72  kilometers  566  meters.  Of  these  about  116  kilo- 
meters are  street  lines.  A  tabulated  statement  published  by  the  same 
authority  shows  that  from  1873  to  December  >'>l.  L897,  the  traffic  over 
all  lines  of  the  District  amounted  to  244,637,816  passengers,  and  the 
gross  earnings  of  the  lines  are  estimated  at  $19,828,854  Mexican  silver. 

The  report  of  the  directors  of  the  Mexico  Electric  Tramways  Lim- 
ited, for  1903a  show-  that  during  that  year  the  net  profits  of  the  com 
pany.  after  paying  the  H.l  per  cent  guaranteed  on  the  share  capital  of 
the  company,  were  $314,566  silver,  which,  at  the  rate  of  exchange  of 
2". 72d.  gives  the  sum  of  t'27,157.  This  sum  added  to  former  balances 
and  other  revenues  from  interests  on  the  debentures  of  the  "Compania 
cle  Ferrocarriles  del  Distrito  Federal."  controlled  by  this  company, 
gives  a  total  of  635,728,  out  of  which  a  dividend  of  6  per  cent  has 

«  South  American  Journal,  June  4,  1904. 


WATER    SUPPLY.  67 

been  paid  on  the  preference  shares,  amounting  to  about  £30,000. 
Four  small  town  lines  have  been  converted  to  electric  service,  so  that 
the  total  distance  now  operated  by  electricity  by  this  company  is  L29 
kilometers.  New  machinery  is  being  erected  to  cope  with  the  increase 
of  the  traffic.  The  number  of  passengers  carried  by  these  lines  during 
1903  Avas  36,178,584,  against  31,132,030  in  1902,  being  an  increase  of 
over  5,300,000  passengers.  The  receipts  amounted  to  $2,799,282  in 
1903,  against  $2,400,787  in  1902,  or  an  increase  of  $398,495. 

As  a  commercial  center  the  City  of  Mexico  is  the  richest  in  the 
country,  possessing  wealth}'  banking  institutions,  important  railroads, 
telephones,  telegraphs,  electric  light  and  power  plants,  manufacturing 
industries,  large  buildings  devoted  to  stores  and  warehouses,  and.  in 
short,  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  to  be  found  in  any  large  city. 

Banks. — The  principal  banking  institutions  of  the  capital  are  the 
"Banco  Nacional  de  Mexico,"  with  a  capital  of  $20,000,000;  the 
"  Internacional  Hipotecario,"  $5,000,000,  and  the  "  Londres  y  Mexico," 
$10,000,000;  "Banco  Central,"  $7,000,000;  " Banco  Agricola  e  Hipo- 
tecario," $2,000,000.  Both  the  " Nacional "  and  the  "Londres  y  Mexi- 
co" have  branches  in  several  of  the  States. 

The  Central  Bank,  in  addition  to  carrying  on  the  usual  banking 
business,  acts  in  the  capacity  of  a  clearing  house  for  a  number  of 
banks  allied  to  it  in  other  parts  of  the  Republic.  There  are  also 
numerous  banking  houses,  bankers,  and  trust  companies  doing  busi- 
ness with  all  commercial  centers  of  the  world.  There  are  three  cham- 
bers of  commerce  at  the  capital. 

Industrie*. ■ — The  number  of  manufacturing  industries  established  at 
the  capital  is  very  large,  and  includes  wine  and  liquor  distilleries,  fac- 
tories for  pottery,  tobacco,  carriages,  wagons,  cardboard  and  paper, 
matches  (wax  and  wooden),  glue,  chocolate,  artificial  ice,  gloves,  glass, 
cotton  fabrics,  knitted  goods,  soap,  blank  books,  playing  cards,  fur- 
niture, hats,  lace,  etc.,  as  well  as  foundries,  breweries,  and  printing 
establishments.  There  are  also  several  life  and  fire  insurance  com- 
panies, both  foreign  and  national.  The  city  possesses  excellents  hotels, 
restaurants,  and  cafes. 

Water  supply. — When  the  City  of  Mexico  was  known  during  the 
time  of  the  Aztecs  as  the  "NuevaTenoxtitlan,,,  its  drinking  water  was 
supplied  I >y  the  spring  called  ' 'Alberca  Chica  de  Chapultepec. "  During 
the. colonial  period,  in  1576,  the  Santa  Fe  springs  were  purchased, 
which  now  produce  6,000  liters  of  water  per  minute,  and  in  1786  water 
was  furnished  by  the  Desierto  and  Leones  springs,  which  now  yield 
s.i  ii  it  i  liters  per  minute.  From  that  time  down  to  1888  the  city  council 
did  not  secure  any  other  properties;  but  in  that  year  it  purchased  the 
"Alberca  Grande  de  Chapultepec,"  which  gives  7,0<»<>  liters  of  water 
per  minute.  All  these  acquisitions,  however,  did  not  suffice  to  furnish 
this  necessary  element  to  the  city. 


68  MEXICO. 

In  1896  the  city  council,  fearing  a  water  famine,  acquired  ;i  water 
supply  from  the  Hacienda  de  los  Morales,  which  gives  9,000 liters  per 
minute,  and  also  a  supply  of  800  liters  per  minute  from  the  ( loncesidn 
Ohousal.  Lastly,  in  l^'.,'.,  1 '.*<><».  a  supply  has  been  secured  from  Rfo 
Hondo,  which,  united  to  that  from  Morales,  produces  30,000  liters  per 
minute.  According  to  the  statistics  of  L90]  the  amount  of  water 
received  in  the  city  per  minute  was  40,000  liters,  added  to  which  is 
the  supply  from  L, 088  artesian  wells,  yielding  L  6, 640  liters  per  minute. 

<  me  of  the  most  important  municipal  undertakings  has  been  the  con- 
struction of  a  sewage  system  for  the  city,  which  i-  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  perfect  to  he  found  anywhere.  The  system  adopted  is  that 
known  as  the  combined  water  carriage,  and  consists  of  three  principal 
parts  -flushing  pipes,  sewers  to  collect  the  house  refuse,  and  collectors 
to  receive  this  refuse  and  carry  it  outside  the  city.  The  sewers  can 
be  flushed  every  day  by  means  of  the  water  from  the  Viga  Canal. 
The  total  disbursements  on  account  of  this  sanitation  project  up  to 
June  30,  L901,  were  $5,714,982.75. 

The  following  data  is  extracted  from  a  report  of  United  States 
( lonsul-General  Barlow  : 

"  ( 'nmim  r<; . — The  City  of  Mexico  is  to  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  to 
an  even  greater  degree  perhaps,  what  Paris  is  to  France.  Being  the 
capital  of  the  country  and  the  commercial  center,  with  no  other  city 
in  the  Republic  approaching  it  in  population,  its  influence  is  supreme; 
being  the  railroad  center,  it  is  the  distributing  point  for  the  rest  of 
the  Republic;  being  the  banking  center,  the  bulk  of  the  financial  trans- 
actions of  the  Republic  pass  through  it.  Much  of  the  agricultural 
and  mining  business  and  some  of  the  manufacturing  business  of  the 
rest  of  the  Republic  are  directed  from  this  city.  In  a  word,  it  is 
the  administrative  center  of  the  Republic,  commercially  as  well  as 
politically. 

From  the  foregoing  it  follows  that  the  trade  of  the  city  is  nearly  as 
general  as  that  of  the  entire  Republic.  The  most  important  single  line 
of  trade  and  that  which  shows  the  larges  amount  of  imports  is  in 
machinery  and  machinery  supplies.  This  is  practically  controlled  by 
Americans.  The  hardware  trade,  which  is  a  good  one.  is  largely  in 
the  hands  of  the  German-,  though  in  the  past  few  years  American 
hardware  has  been  making  deep  inroads  into  the  German  imports  in 
this  line.  While  the  large  hardware  stores  are  run  by  Germans,  all  of 
them  now  carry  large  lines  of  American  hardware.  The  dry-goods 
trade,  which  is  next  in  importance  after  the  machinery  trade,  was 
controlled  early  in  the  last  century  by  the  English  and  later  by  the 
Germans,  but  is  now  controlled  by  the  French.  Imports  of  American 
dry  goods  are  increasing,  however,  and  they  are  found  in  most  of  the 
large  stores. 

lunnnial  Relations  of  the  United  States,  1901,  Vol.  I. 


MEXICO.  69 

"Cost  of  living. — -The  cost  of  living  in  Mexico  depends  largely  upon 
the  tastes  and  adaptability  of  the  person.  In  a  general  way,  it  may 
be  said  that  if  native  products  are  consumed  the  cost  of  living  is 
about  the  same  in  gold  as  in  the  United  States;  if  imported  products 
are  used  the  cost  of  living  is  50  to  100  per  cent  greater. 

Rents  are  extremely  high.  A  six-room  house  or  vivienda  (flat) 
costs  from  $50  to  $150  silver  per  month,  according  to  location.  The 
same  house  in  a  city  in  the  United  States,  of  similar  size,  would  rent 
from  $15  to  $25  gold  per  month.  A  house  that  would  rent  in  the 
United  States,  according  to  location  and  appearance,  for  $100  gold  per 
month  commands  $500  silver  (or  about  $250  gold)  per  month  here. 
Rents  of  business  houses  are  fully  as  high  in  proportion.  It  may  be 
stated  in  a  general  way  that  private  or  business  houses,  rented,  are 
expected  to  yield  12  to  15  per  cent  per  year  on  the  investment.  Rents 
in  the  suburbs  are  almost  as  high  as  in  the  city  proper. 

"Real  estate. — Real-estate  values  have  increased  enormously  in  this 
city  in  the  past  few  years.  Lots  in  desirable  residence  sections  of  the 
city  that  were  worth  a  few  years  ago  only  a  few  cents  per  square 
meter  are  now  worth  from  $15  to  $25  per  square  meter.  A  desirable 
building  lot  in  a  choice  location,  50  to  150  feet,  costs  from  $10,000  to 
$15,000.  In  outlying  sections  and  in  the  suburbs,  the  cost  will  be 
about  one-half  of  this.  A  house  that  will  cost  $5,000  to  build  in  the 
United  States  will  cost  from  $17,000  to  $20,000  Mexican  silver  to  build 
in  this  city." 


CHAPTEB  VI 

THE  STATES  AND  TERRITORIES  OF  THE  REPUBLIC— BRIEF  GEO- 
GRAPHICAL SKETCH  OF  EACH— RESOURCES,  MEANS  OF  COM- 
MUNICATION-CLIMATE. SEASONS,  POPULATION,  CAPITAL 
CITIES,  INDUSTRIES. 

THE  STATES 

The  Slates  forming  the  Mexican  Republic  are  27  in  number,  besides 
the  Federal  District  and  2  Territories.0 

LQ\  .\s<   \  i.i  km  es. 

The  State  of  Aguascalientes,  population  L02,416,  whose  capital  city, 
1,861  meters  above  the  sea.  bears  the  same  name,  is  situated  in  the 
Central  Plateau,  and.  though  one  of  the  smallest  States  in  the  Repub- 
lic, is  also  one  of  the  richest.  a-  it  contains  within  its  territory  an 
agricultural  region  of  great  promise,  and  belongs,  by  reason  of  its 
altitude,  to  the  Mexican  temperate  /one. 

Boundaries. —  It  is  hounded  on  the  north,  west,  and  northeast  by  the 
State  of  Zacatecas,  which  almost  surrounds  Aguascalientes,  with  the 
exception  of  a  small  section  to  the  south,  southeast,  and  east,  where 
the  State  of  Jalisco  joins  it.  The  total  area  of  the  State  measures  7,692 
square  kilometer-. 

S  nation.  Owing  to  it-  situation  on  the  Central  Plateau.  Aguasca- 
lientes  occupies  a  beautiful  and  fertile  region,  which  is  cultivated 
almost  in  its  entirety,  the  western  and  central  portions  being  irrigated 
by  a  number  of  rivers  and  brooks,  while  the  eastern  portion  owes  its 
development  to  the  industry  of  the  farming  population.  The  eastern 
and  southeastern  portions  are  occupied  by  the  extensive  plains  of 
Tecuan.  which,  though  containing  a  large  number  of  haciendas  (plan- 
tations) and  ranchos  (cattle  ranches),  are  lacking  in  water  courses. 
The  fertile  valley  of  Aguascalientes,  irrigated  by  a  river  of  the  -nine 
name,  lies  to  the  northeast,  while  the  no  less  fertile  valley  of  San 
Jacinto  is  farther  north. 

CUmate.  —The  cold  regi >f  the  State  lies  to  the  northeast,  where 

the  mountain  chains  of  Asientos  and  Tepezala  rise  to  a  height  of  2,  U4 
meters.  The  remainder  of  the  territory,  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  section  in  the  southwest  belonging  to  the  hot  /one.  is  in  the 
temperate  region.     Almost  all  the  western  and  northern  portions  of 

-  se  table  on  page  407,  ( Jbapter  XIX. 


AGUASCALIENTES.  71 

the  State  are  mountainous,  being  traversed  b}T  the  Sierra  Fria,  and 
in  the  southwest  are  the  mountains  of  the  Sierra  del  Laurel.  A  num- 
ber of  plateaus  and  isolated  hills  and  a  few  chains  of  mountains  rise 
in  the  center  of  the  State,  so  that  the  mean  altitude  is  from  1,000  to 
2,000  meters  above  sea  level,  excepting-  in  the  sections  occupied  by 
the  Sierra  Fria  and  the  Sierra  del  Laurel,  where  the  elevation  varies 
from  2,000  to  3,000  meters. 

Rainfall. — The  rainfall  throughout  the  State  is  moderate  except  on 
the  eastern  plains.  Frost  is  frequent  both  in  the  highest  regions  and 
in  the  Sierras,  notably  in  the  Partido  de  Asientos,  while  in  Calvillo  it 
occurs  rarely.  The  prevailing  winds  blow  from  the  west,  northwest, 
and  north.  The  climate  is  rather  unhealthy,  typhus  and  malarial 
fevers  and  affections  of  the  respiratory  organs  being  the  most  com- 
mon ailments. 

Rivers. — As  has  been  stated,  the  irrigation  of  the  western  and  cen- 
tral portions  of  the  State,  by  reason  of  numerous  rivers  and  brooks, 
is  of  the  finest  order,  but  in  the  eastern  part  rain  and  artesian-well 
waters  are  alone  available  for  this  purpose.  The  principal  river,  the 
San  Pedro,  Aguascalientes.  or  Rio  Grande,  has  its  headwaters  south 
of  the  Zacatecas  Mountain  chain  and  enters  the  State  on  the  north, 
and  after  traversing  its  entire  extent  from  north  to  south  enters  the 
State  of  Jalisco.  Other  riyers  are  the  Pabellon,  Santiago,  Mor- 
cinique,  Chicalote,  Labor,  Tejas,  Calvillo,  and  Tepezalilla.  There  are 
also  several  lagoons  or  swamps,  which  are  of  little  importance. 

Mineral  springs. — Aguascalientes  (literally  hot  waters)  derives  its 
name  from  the  several  hot  springs  found  within  its  limits,  the  princi- 
pal ones  being  those  in  the  capital  of  the  State,  San  Nicolas  de  la  Can- 
fcera,  Ojo  Caliente,  Ojo  Calientillo,  and  Colonic  The  temperature  of 
the  waters  in  the  several  springs  varies  from  30°  to  40.50°  C.  (86°  to 
105°  F.). 

Fauna  and  -flora. — The  fauna  of  Aguascalientes  embraces  over  27 
classes  of  mammals,  58  species  of  birds,  9  reptiles,  5  batrachians,  1 
fishes,  and  71  insects.  The  flora  embraces  over  137  species  of  wild 
trees,  while  there  are  over  18  kinds  of  fruits;  among  others,  20  vane-' 
ties  of  pears,  figs,  several  kinds  of  grapes,  11  textile  plants,  several 
classes  of  tanning  barks,  leaves  and  roots,  oleaginous  seeds  or  berries, 
dye  plants,  forage  plants,  poisonous  and  aromatic  plants,  gums  and 
resins,  103  medicinal  plants,  and  numberless  ornamental  shrubs  and 
flowers. 

Resources. — The  principal  industries  of  the  State  are  agriculture, 
stock  raising,  commerce,  and  mining.  Almost  its  entire  extent  is 
under  cultivation,  the  principal  products  being  cereals  of  all  kinds, 
fruits  of  every  variety,  and  leguminous  plants.  Such  products  as  the 
almond,  cotton,  citron,  sugar  cane,  mangrove,  and  other  tropical 
plants  and  trees  would  thrive. 


72  MEXICO. 

Sf<,<l-  raising  is  carried  on  to  some  extent,  and,  while  no  statistical 
data  in  regard  to  the  number  and  species  of  livestock  can  be  obtained, 
the  following  official  figures  for  L902,  taken  from  the  "Anuario  Esta- 
dfstico,"  may  give  an  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  industry.  In  that  year 
there  were  slaughtered  for  consumption  in  the  State  6,821  head  of 
cattle,  4,982  sheep,  7,037  goats,  and  9,071  hogs,  valued  at  $465,996 
silver. 

Mining,  which  should  he  one  of  the  main  sources  of  wealth  in  the 
State,  has  been  almost  abandoned.  The  principal  minerals  found  are 
copper,  lead,  silver,  and  magistral,"  the  former  most  abundant  at 
Asientos  and  the  latter  at  Tepezald.  The  mining  district,  63  kilome- 
ters northeast  of  Aguascalientes,  is  formed  by  a  group  of  isolated 
mountains,  whose  highest  points  are  the  Altamira  range  and  San  Juan, 
Las  Pilas.  or  Calavora.  The  number  of  copper  and  silver  mines  in 
operation  during  L902  i^  officially  estimated  at  8,  the  total  production 
being  over  42,000,000  kilos,  valued  at  $1,000,000  in  round  numbers.8 

Trade. — The  State  of  Aguascalientes  is  an  important  commercial 
center,  exporting  large  quantities  of  corn  and  beans,  especially  to  the 
City  of  Mexico;  flour  and  magistral  to  several  mining  districts  (Zaca- 
tecas,  Pachuca,  Guanajuato,  and  other  places  in  San  Luis  Potosi), 
cattle,  horses,  and  mules  to  several  points  in  the  Republic,  as  well  as 
fruits,  lumber  and  timber,  hides  and  skins,  tallow,  horns,  etc.  The 
State  imports  from  the  City  of  Mexico  and  from  Europe  and  the 
United  States,  through  the  ports  of  Tampico  and  Veracruz, groceries, 
ready-made  clothing,  cotton,  wool,  and  silk  fabrics,  hardware,  drug-. 
books,  paper,  chemical  products,  perfumery,  arms  and  ammunition. 
furniture,  glassware,  wines  and  liquors,  hats  and  bonnets,  canned 
goods,  jewelry,  machinery  and  tools  for  agricultural,  mining,  and  indus- 
trial purposes,  carriages,  etc.  The  total  value  of  the  trade  of  the 
State  is  estimated  at  about  $7,500,000  per  annum,  divided  as  follows: 
Imports,  $2,500,000;  exports,  $3,000,000;  local  trade,  *2,0oojtuo.  The 
principal  markets  in  the  State  are  Aguascalientes,  Kincon  de  Romos, 
and  Calvillo. 

Communications.  The  Mexican  Central  Railroad  crosses  the  State 
in  two  directions,  from  south  to  north  the  line  from  Mexico  to  Ciudad 
Juarez,  and  from  south  to  northeast  the  line  from  Aguascalientes  to 
San  Luis  Potosi.  The  principal  stations  on  the  former  line  arePenuelas, 
Aguascalientes.  Chicalote,  Las  Animas,  Pabellon,  Kincon  de  liomos, 
and  Soledad;  and  on  the  latter,  Aguascalientes,  Chicalote,  Canada. 
Gallardo,  El  Tide,  and  San  Gil.  The  State  is  in  telegraphic  and  mail 
communication  with  the  rest  of  the  Republic,  and  the  telephonic  serv- 

a Magistral  is  a  species  of  copper  pyrites  absolutely  necessary  for  the  so-called 
"patio  process." 

'<  Except  when  otherwise  specified  all  values  from  Mexican  official  statistics  are  in 
Mexican  silver. 


CAMPECHE.  73 

ice  is  good  and  quite  extensive.  There  are  good  wagon  roads  connect- 
ing the  capital  with  the  most  important  markets  of  the  neighboring 
States. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  politically  into  four  partidos,  sub- 
divided into  eight  municipalities.     The  partidos  are  the  following: 

Rincon  de  Romos  or  Victoria  de  Calpulapam,  population  12,714, 
whose  chief  town,  situated  on  the  Mexican  Central,  13  kilometers  dis- 
tant from  the  capital,  bears  the  same  name. 

Ocampo  or  Asientos,  population  15,186,  chief  town  Asientos  de 
Ibarra,  1<>  kilometers  from  San  Gil,  on  the  Mexican  Central. 

Calvillo,  population  10,592,  chief  town  bearing  the  same  name,  627 
kilometers  distant  from  Mexico  City  and  59  from  Aguascalientes. 

Aguascalientes,  population  63,621;  its  chief  town,  Aguascalientes, 
contains  56,211  inhabitants,  and  is  the  capital  of  the  State.  It  is 
situated  on  the  Mexican  Central,  586  kilometers  from  the  City  of 
Mexico.  Among  the  manufacturing  industries  of  these  partidos  the 
principal  ones  are  as  follows:  Cotton  mills,  tobacco  factories,  pottery 
works,  tanneries,  wagon  factories,  and  wine  and  liquor  distilleries. 

In  the  city  of  Aguascalientes  there  are  two  lines  of  tramways;  tele- 
graph, telephone,  and  post-offices,  schools,  hospitals,  public  libraries, 
a  chamber  of  commerce,  etc.,  while  all  the  principal  towns  in  the  State 
have  similar  institutions. 

CAMPECHE. 

The  State  of  Campeche,  population  86,512,  with  a  capital  city  of  the 
same  name,  near  the  level  of  the  sea,  lies  to  the  southeast  of  the  City 
of  Mexico,  occupying  the  western  portion  of  the  beautiful  and  warm 
peninsula  of  Yucatan. 

Boundaries. — Its  borders  are  bathed  by  the  waters  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  on  the  west  and  northeast,  while  Yucatan  lies  to  the  north  and 
east,  the  Republic  of  Guatemala  to  the  southeast  and  south,  and  the 
State  of  Tabasco  to  the  south  and  southwest. 

Situation. — Campeche  occupies  a  large  territory,  the  climate  of 
which  is  deadly  in  many  sections,  especially  in  the  region  of  the  south- 
ern plains.  The  area  of  the  State  is  16,855  square  kilometers.  From 
northwest  to  southeast  the  Sierra  Alta  crosses  the  territory  until  it 
meets  the  Sierra  Baja,  extending  to  the  northwest  of  Yucatan.  With 
the  exception  of  this  mountainous  section,  the  State  is  a  plain,  occu- 
pied throughout  its  greatest  extent  by  forests  containing  the  campeche 
or  logwood  and  other  valuable  woods.  A  portion  of  the  southern 
region,  contiguous  to  Guatemala,  is  little  known  and  almost  unin- 
habited, as  it  contains  large  savannahs,  swampy  lands,  and  impene- 
trable forests.  The  richest  section  of  the  State  is  occupied  by  the 
Partido  del  Carmen.  It  is  well  irrigated  by  both  large  and  small 
streams,  which  empty  into  the  numerous  lakes  and  lagoons  surround- 


74  mixico. 

ing  the  Lake  of  T6rminos.  The  shores  of  the  lakes  and  rivers  arc 
covered  with  Forests  containing  dyewoods,  hard  woods,  palm  trees, 
etc.  These  waterways  are  the  means  of  outlet  for  the  trade  in  woods, 
which  owes  its  development  to  the  flourishing  port  of  El  Carmen  or 
Laguna,  opposite  Laguna  <h'  T^rminos,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  besl 
harbor  of  the  Mexican  Gulf,  Campeche  Bcarcely  ranking  as  9uch. 

Climate. — The  climate  of  the  State  i-  hot  and  unhealthy  and  the 
rainfall  is  moderate,  except  in  Partido  del  Carmen.  Frosts  are  un- 
known, and,  owing  to  the  swampy  and  marshy  condition  of  the  land. 
malarial  fevers  are  very  common. 

Topography. — The  Sound  or  Bay  of  Campeche  extend-  along  the 
coast  <>f  the  State,  forming  many  estuaries,  points,  bars,  and  sonic 
islands.  The  coast  line  is  low,  sheltered,  and.  in  some  places,  muddy. 
Coral  reefs  and  other  calcareous  banks  are  abundant.  This  hay.  which 
is  an  inlet  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  has  an  area  of  over  6,000  square 
miles.  The  Banks  of  Yucatan,  an  enormous  shoal  extending  along 
the  coast  of  Yucatan  opposite  the  Campeche  coast  as  far  a-  its 
Tabasco  boundary  on  the  west,  have,  according  to  soundings  made  by 
"Mexican.  American,  and  English  Bailors,  a  depth  of  .~>  fathoms  at  a 
distance  of  from  5  to  7  miles  from  the  shore;  of  1<»  fathoms  from  ljo 
to  35  miles,  and  a  depth  of  20  fathoms  as  far  as  a  60-mile  limit  WNW. 
off  Punta  Palmas,  and  almost  an  equal  distance  to  the  south,  and  of  30 
fathoms  for  a  few  miles  along  the  western  limit  of  the  sounding-. 
Beyond  this  the  depth  falls  abruptly  to  40  fathoms.  Hydrographic 
chart-  prepared  by  American  and  English  experts  show  the  main 
irregularities  and  dangers  to  be  encountered  in  the  Sound  of  Campeche. 

Hydrography. — The  northern  portion  of  the  State,  occupied  by  the 
partidosof  Eiecelchakan,  Campeche,  and  Bolonchen,  lacks  water  courses, 
the  region  being  fertilized  by  the  rains,  temporary  brooks,  and  wells 
(called  ehenes) used  for  storing  the  rain  waters.  The  southern  portion 
of  the  State  is  well  irrigated,  especially  the  partidosof  Carmen  and 
Champoton.  The  principal  river  is  the  Sabancuy,  which  might  prop- 
erly be  called  an  estuary,  being  92.50  kilometers  in  length  and  from 
400  to  TOO  meters  in  width,  lying  to  the  northeast  of  the  Partido  del 
Carmen,  navigable  for  small  craft  and  emptying  into  the  Lake  of 
Terminos.  The  bottom  of  this  river  is  full  of  oyster  beds.  The 
river  Marmantel  rises  in  the  Partido  Champoton.  traverses  the  Partido 
del  ( 'armen  from  the  southeast  to  the  northwest,  and  empties  into  Lake 
Palao,  with  a  total  length  of  98  kilometers.  It  is  navigable  for  a  dis- 
tance of  39  kilometers  and  passes  through  forests  of  dyewoods  and 
valuable  timbers  and  cultivated  lands.  For  a  distance  of  16  kilometers 
from  its  mouth  the  river  measures  258  meters;  thence  its  width  is  25 
meters  up  to  the  twenty-eighth  kilometer,  gradually  narrowing  to  i 
meters  at  Pital  and  growing  smaller  and  smaller  toward  its  headwaters. 
The  Candelaria,  which  is  the  largest  river  in  the  State,  is  supposed  to 


CAMPECHE.  75 

have  its  headwaters  in  Guatemala,  and  after  traversing  the  State  of 
Yucatan  enters  Campeche,  irrigating  the  8<  mthern  portion  of  the  Par- 
tido  de  Champoton,  thence  running  from  east  to  west,  and  finally  empty- 
ing into  the  Lake  of  Terminos.  Its  length  is  about  419  kilometers  and 
its  width  varies  from  125  to  175  meters  at  a  distance  of  10  kilometers 
from  its  mouth  to  about  51  or  52  meters,  with  a  depth  of  from  8  to  60 
feet.  It  is  navigable  for  a  short  distance  only,  on  account  of  its  pre- 
cipitous course.  The  Chumpan,  95  kilometers  in  length,  is  navigable 
for  small  craft,  its  width  vaiying  from  62  to  84  meters  and  its  depth 
from  12  to  24  meters,  according  to  the  season.  It  is  a  confluent  of 
Lake  Terminos.  The  Palizada  is  also  one  of  the  largest  rivers  in  the 
State.  It  rises  in  the  State  of  Tabasco,  enters  the  State  of  Campeche 
on  the  southwest,  traverses  it  for  a  distance  of  123  kilometers,  from 
southeast  to  northwest,  and  empties  into  Lake  Terminos,  forming  the 
Boca  Chica  Bar.  The  Palizada  is  navigable  for  craft  from  15  to  50 
tons  burden  throughout  almost  its  entire  course,  being  68  feet  in  depth, 
and  having  a  mean  width  of  from  60  to  G6  meters.  The  Champoton, 
another  river  of  importance,  is  navigable  throughout  its  course,  which 
is  a  very  sinuous  one.  There  are  other  rivers  and  streams  of  lesser 
importance.  The  Lake  of  Terminos  is  the  most  important  in  the 
State.  Its  shores  are  muddy  and  shallow.  It  communicates  with  the 
sea  by  means  of  two  channels,  the  Principal  and  the  Puerto  Real.  The 
tides  in  this  lake  are  very  irregular,  the  greatest  height  during  the  syzy- 
gies  being  2  feet.  Other  small  lakes  are  San  Carlos,  Laguna  Larga, 
Colorada  el  Corte,  and  a  few  small  lagoons. 

Fiim,,!  and  flora. — The  fauna  of  the  State  is  rich  and  varied,  though 
not  very  well  known.  There  are  about  50  species  of  mammals,  7'> 
varieties  of  birds,  40  reptiles,  8  batrachians,  40  fishes,  75  insects,  and 
many  varieties  of  crustaceans,  mollusks,  etc.  The  flora  embraces  over 
150  species  of  wild  trees,  50  fruits,  28  textile  plants,  20  classes  of 
leaves,  roots,  and  barks  for  tanning  purposes,  16  oleaginous  seeds,  24 
dyewoods,  10  forage  plants,  7  poisonous  plants,  21  aromatic  and  a 
great  number  of  medicinal  plants,  several  gums  and  resins,  and  count- 
less flowers  and  ornamental  plants. 

Resources. — The  principal  industries  are  the  exploitation  of  cabinet 
woods,  and  the  campeche  or  logwood  (of  first  importance),  commerce 
by  land  and  sea,  agriculture,  stock  raising,  fisheries,  exploitation  of  the 
salt  deposits,  extraction  of  the  heniquen  fiber  and  its  manufacture  into 
hammocks,  ropes,  mats,  etc. 

According  to  Mexican  official  statistics,  during  the  }Tear  1901  the 
State  of  Campeche  produced  22,152,380  kilos  logwood,  valued  at 
$569,548,  while  in  1902  the  production  decreased  to  9,300,000  kilos, 
valued,  in  round  numbers,  at  $353,000;  mahogany  was  produced  in 
1901  to  the  amount  of  22,152,380  kilos,  valued  at  $142,674;  cedar,  in 
1902,  about  1,500,000  kilos,  valued  at  $70,000. 


76  MEXICO. 

Agricultun  is  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  the  State,  which  pos 

a  fertile  lands  well  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fruits  of  the 

hot  and  temperate  zones.      Rice.  BUgar  cane,  cotton,  ami   sin:  larprod- 

ucts  might  be  advantageously  cultivated  in  the  southern  part  of  the 

State,  which  is  well  irrigated,  hut  the,  inhabitants  devote  their  atten 
tion  mainly  to  the  exploitation  of  logwood  and  valuable  timbers. 

Mining.-  The  principal  mineral  wealth  of  the  State  lies  in  its  salt 
deposits,  extending  from  the  port  of  Celestum  (State  of  Yucatan)  to 
the  port  of  Campeche.  The  annual  yield  is  estimated  at  40,000  to 
50,000  fa/negaa,  exported  to  the  States  of  Tabasco,  Veracruz,  Tamaul- 
ipas,  Hidalgo,  Puebla,  and  Oaxaca. 

Trade.  The  State  maintains  an  active  commerce  with  Europe  and 
the  United  States,  mainly  in  logwood  and  cabinet  woods,  the  home 
trade  being  restricted  to  the  salt  exports  (as  above  noted),  shell  prod- 
ucts, palm  hats,  hammocks,  etc..  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  the  impor- 
tation of  cattle  and  cereals  in  limited  quantities.  When,  on  account  of 
the  lack  of  rain,  there  is  a  scarcity  of  corn,  this  grain,  as  well  as  other 
products,  is  imported  from  the  United  States.  The  principal  mercan- 
tile centers  are  Canipeche,  Carmen,  Calkini,  llecelehakan.  and  Holon- 
chenticul. 

The  cabinet  woods  of  the  State  arc  exported  mainly  to  the  United 
States  and  to  Great  Britain,  the dyewoods  to  Great  Britain, Germany, 
the  United  States,  and  France.  Other  export-  are  rubber,  hair,  cocoa- 
nut-,  chicle,  henequ^n,  prepared  hides  and  skins,  etc.  This  commerce 
may  be  estimated  at  about  $1,250,000  silver  per  annum.  The  imports 
embrace  cotton,  wool,  silk,  and  linen  fabrics;  groceries,  hardware. 
drugs  and  chemical  products,  paper,  hooks,  machinery,  tools,  agricul- 
tural implements,  arms  and  ammunition,  cereals,  cattle,  wines  and 
liquors,  etc.  This  trade  i-  valued  at  about  §500,000  annually.  The 
number  of  vessels  entering  the  port  of  Carmen  in  1902  was.  according 
to  Mexican  official  data,  as  follows:  L28  steamers,  L76  Bailing  vessels; 
total,  .".til  vessels,  of  which  225  were1  Mexican  and  the  balance  foreign. 
The  vessels  entering  the  port  of  Canipeche  during  the  same  period 
were  821,  of  which  133  were  steam  and  the  balance  sailing  vessels. 
The  total  number  of  vessels  leaving  both  ports  is  estimated  at  833  for 
Campeche  and  u's;;  for  Carmen. 

Communications.  —  The  development  of  railroad  traffic  in  Campeche 
IS  \  civ  -mall,  due  to  the  fact  that  the  rivers  are  used  as  a  means  of 
communication  with  the  interior  and  also  that  the  principal  towns  are 
all  situated  on  the  -eacoast.  The  railroad  between  Campeche  and 
Merida  is  being  exploited  in  sections,  and  between  Campeche  and 
Lenna  there  is  a  street  railroad  7  kilometers  in  length,  other  lines 
being  in  operation  in  the  cities  of  Campeche  and  Carmen.  In  the 
partido  of  Champot6n  there  is  a  railway  40  kilometers  in  length 
connecting  Ivonchac  with  Yohaltun.     There  are  also  telegraph  and 


CAMPECHE.  77 

telephone  lines,  mail  facilities,  and  fine  wagon  roads  connecting-  the 
principal  cities  with  those  of  the  adjacent  States,  while  steamship  lines 
connect  the  principal  ports  with  the  rest  of  the  world. 

Divisions. — The  State  of  Campeche  is  divided  into  five  partidos, 
which  are  subdivided  into  municipalities. 

The  partido  of  Hecelchakan,  population  24,185,  has  for  its  chief 
town  a  city  of  the  same  name,  situated  on  the  railway  between  Cam- 
peche and  Merida,  38  kilometers  northeast  from  Campeche. 

Campeche,  population  23,588,  is  the  smallest,  but  also  the  richest,  of 
the  five  partidos,  the  chief  town  of  which,  Campeche  de  Baranda,  pop- 
ulation If!, 6-17,  is  also  the  capital  of  the  State.  It  is  situated  on  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  1,320  kilometers  from  Mexico  City,  930  from  Vera- 
cruz, and  164  from  Merida.  This  city  is  the  second  in  importance  on 
the  peninsula  of  Yucatan  and  is  one  of  the  richest  and  most  beautiful 
on  the  Gulf.  The  Campeche  wharf  is  150  feet  long-,  but  owing-  to  the 
fact  that  the  depth  of  the  harbor  is  onty  about  10  feet,  heavily  laden 
ships  can  not  anchor  there.  Among  the  principal  buildings  are  the  City 
Hall,  the  Government  Building,  the  hospital,  a  bank,  a  theater,  the 
market,  and  several  churches.  There  are  also  a  tine  park  and  public 
gardens,  schools,  and  colleges,  with  a  public  library  containing  3,600 
volumes  and  a  museum  of  natural  history  and  an  achseological  museum. 
The  leading  industries  of  the  partidos  are  commerce,  agriculture,  fish- 
eries, the  exploitation  of  the  salt  deposits,  etc.  An  active  commerce  is 
maintained  with  the  Mexican  ports  of  Veracruz,  Frontera,  Carmen,  and 
Progreso,  and  also  with  the  ports  of  Havre,  New  York,  and  Santander, 
the  main  exports  being  hemp,  dyewoods,  salt,  etc.  In  the  city  of  Cam- 
peche are  two  street  railway  lines,  measuring  2  kilometers  and  2.8  kilo- 
meters, respectively,  and  from  that  point  are  lines  running  to  Lerma 
and  Merida,  the  former  being  6  kilometers  in  length  and  the  latter  53 
kilometers.  The  following  lines  of  steamers  toueh  at  Campeche:  New 
York  and  Cuba  Mail  Steamship  Company,  from  New  York;  the  Har- 
rison Line,  from  Liverpool  and  New  Orleans,  and  Escalante  e  Hijo, 
(Mexican)  from  home  ports. 

The  partido  of  Champoton,  population  7,781,  has  a  town  of  the  same 
name  for  its  industrial  center,  situated  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  60  kilo- 
meters southwest  of  Campeche. 

The  partido  of  El  Carmen,  population  16,913,  with  a  principal  town 
and  port  of  the  same  name,  situated  1,152  kilometers  from  Mexico 
City,  and  168  kilometers  from  Campeche,  comprises  one  of  the  riches! 
and  most  important  sections  of  the  State,  being  celebrated  for  its  dye 
and  precious  woods.  There  are  several  lakes  in  the  partido,  and  it  is 
said  that  the  harbor  of  Carmen  is  the  best  on  the  Mexican  Gulf.  The 
commercial  movement  is  estimated  at  about  $1,500.<hm>  per  annum,  as 
it  is  the  port  of  departure  for  the  exports  of  forest  products  for  the 
entire  State. 


78  MEXICO. 

Partido  of  Bolonchen  <»r  Loa  Chenes,  population  .">.73-f.  has  for  its 
principal  town  Bolonchent  icul,  situated  62  kilometers  east  of  ( Sampeche. 
The  celebrated  cavern  of  Bolonchenticul  is  found  2  kilometers  west 
of  the  city.  In  it  are  seven  wells,  from  which  the  people  obtain  their 
water  supply  when  the  public  wells  fail,  respectively  called  in  the 
Maya  language.  <  'Jmr-hn  (red  water),  on  account  of  the  color:  Puxalfyi 
(escaping  water),  because  of  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  well,  the  waters 
receding  at  certain  periods;  Sayab  (spring  water);  Akab-hd  (dark 
waters),  because  of  the  obscurity  of  the  place:  Ckoco-hd  (hot  water); 
Oscil-hd  (milk  water):  and  Chimez-hd  (insect  water),  because  of  the 
insect  chirm  i  which  abounds  in  great  numbers  at  the  well.  The  cave 
is  entered  by  means  of  ladders  made  of  branches  of  trees,  and  its  depth, 
to  the  first  well,  has  been  estimated  at  L,400  feet. 

CHIAPAS. 

The  State  of  Chiapas,  population  360,799,  whose  capital  is  Tuxla 
Gutierrez,  530  meters  above  the  sea  level,  population  22,536,  lies  to 
the  southeast  of  Mexico  City  on  the  Guatemalan  boundary.  It  is  one 
of  the  tropical  sections  and  has  a  great  future  as  an  agricultural  coun- 
try, the  wealth  of  its  flora  being  little  short  of  marvelous. 

Boundaries. — The  boundaries  are  the  State  of  Tabasco  on  the  north, 
Veracruz  and  Oaxaca  on  the  west,  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  south,  and 
the  Republic  of  Guatemala  on  the  east.  It-  area  i-  about  70,524  square 
kilometers. 

Situation. — The  southern  portion  of  the  State  is  traversed  by  the 
Sierra  Madre  Range,  which  is  a  continuation  of  the  Andes  of  South 
and  Central  America.  To  the  south  of  this  range  extends  a  narrow 
strip  of  land,  varying  from  L0  to  :>'.»  kilometers  in  width  and  reaching 
to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  which  forms  one  of  the  most  fertile  regions  of 
the  Mexican  hot  lands,  where  cacao,  coffee,  indigo,  sugar  cane.  etc. 
thrive,  and  forests  of  cabinet  and  dye  woods,  medicinal  plants,  palm 
tree-,  mangrove,  and  timber  are  abundant.  All  this  section  is  irri- 
gated by  numerous  rivers  draining  into  the  Pacific  from  the  slope-  of 
the  Sierra  Madre.  The  volcano  of  Tacana.  whose  Bnowy  peak  is  3, '.•'•,l  I 
meters  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  rises  in  tlii-  region,  and  on  its  slopes 
are  cultivated  potatoes,  wheat,  and  other  products  of  the  cold  zone. 
The  boundary  line  between  Mexico  and  Guatemala  crosses  the  top  of 
Tacana.  The  Pacific  <  )cean  bathes  the  coasts  of  Chiapas  for  a  distance 
of  22<>  kilometers,  from  its  Oaxaca  boundary  line  to  the  bar  of  the 
Sachinate  River,  on  the  Guatemalan  boundary.  The  coasts  are  gen- 
erally low  and  sandy  and  well  sheltered,  and  do  not  present  any  obsta- 
cle- to  navigation. 

Climate.  Although  the  entire  territory  of  Chiapas  belongs  to  the 
torrid  zone,  the  climate  varies  according  to  the  altitude,  being  hot  on 
the  coast  and  the  land-  irrigated  by  the  Chiapas  River;  humid  and 


CHIAPAS.  79 

unhealthy  on  the  low  marshy  lands,  especially  at  Tonala,  cold  in  the 
valley  of  San  Cristobal,  and  in  the  rest  of  the  State  it  is  generally 
temperate.  Rain  is  abundant,  except  in  the  departments  of  Comitan, 
Chiapas,  La  Libertad,  and  Tuxla  Gutierrez,  There  are  occasional 
frosts  in  the  valley  of  San  Cristobal,  but  other  sections  of  the  State 
are  rarely  if  ever  visited  by  them.  The  winds  are  very  variable. 
Malarial  fevers,  typhus,  smallpox,  and  affections  of  the  respiratory 
and  digestive  organs  are  the  most  common  diseases. 

Topography.  —The  Andes  Range  from  Central  America  traverses 
the  State,  running  almost  parallel  to  the  coast,  at  a  distance  varying 
from  8  to  39  kilometers.  This  range  is  called  the  Sierra  Madre,  and 
from  its  main  line  several  branches  diverge,  encompassing  the  fertile 
open  valleys  of  Custepeques,  Jiguipilas,  Zintalapa,  and  Chiapas,  and 
the  inclosed  valley  of  San  Cristobal.  In  addition  to  the  volcano  of 
Tacana  other  remarkable  mountains  are  the  Tres  Picos,  north  of 
Tonala,  and  the  Gineta,  on  the  Oaxaca  boundary  line.  There  are  also 
the  Cungozoe  or  Plumas  and  other  small  ranges.  The  eastern  plains 
of  Chiapas,  known  as  the  "  Desierto  de  los  Laeandones,"  have  not  yet 
been  thorough!}"  explored.  They  are  irrigated  by  the  Usumacinta 
River.  To  the  west  of  the  Chiapas  Valley  lies  that  of  Zintalapa, 
which  is  a  desert  tract  of  land,  being  an  extension  of  the  swampy 
region  south  of  the  Chimalapa  Mountains  in  the  State  of  Oaxaca. 

Hydrography. — Chiapas  is  one  of  the  least  irrigated  sections  of  the 
Mexican  Republic.  The  principal  river  is  the  Chiapa  or  Mezcalapa, 
which  has  its  origin  on  Guatemalan  territory.  It  enters  the  State  of 
Chiapas  near  Amatenango,  traverses  the  central  part  of  the  State  in  a 
northwesterly  direction,  and  finally  empties  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
in  the  vicinity  of  Frontera  (State  of  Tabasco),  having  in  its  entire 
extent  a  length  of  554  kilometers.  It  is  known  by  several  names  in 
the  different  parts  of  its  course,  irrigates  the  principal  sections  of  the 
State,  and  is  the  boundary  between  Chiapas,  Veracruz  and  Tabasco. 
This  river  receives  the  waters  of  numerous  affluents  and,  on  account 
of  the  strong  currents  and  the  large  volume  of  water  contributed  by 
its  branches,  is  navigable  throughout  a  great  portion  of  its  extent. 
The  Usumacinta  River,  which  irrigates  the  northwestern  section  of 
the  State,  rises  in  Guatemala,  between  which  Republic  and  Chiapas  it 
forms  the  boundary  line.  Its  mairy  branches  are  navigable  through- 
out, and  serve  as  irrigating  streams  for  the  "lacandones"  land  and  the 
States  of  Campeche  and  Tabasco.  Its  final  outlet  is  into  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  after  a  course  of  550  kilometers.  The  two  rivers  above 
named  constitute  the  hydrographic  system  of  the  State,  the  Chiapas 
traversing  it  for  a  distance  of  390  kilometers,  while  the  other  rivers 
and  streams  are  of  minor  importance.  The  Lake  of  Chiapas  or 
Tepancuapan,  situated  45  kilometers  west  of  the  city  of  Comitan, 
1,447  meters  above  the  level  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  belongs  to  the 


80  MEXICO. 

fluvial  Bystem  of  the  Usumacinta  River.  Its  extent  is  ll  kilometers 
east  and  wot  and  .">  kilometers  north  and  south.  It  contains  an  abun- 
dance of  fish.  This  is  also  the  case  in  regard  to  the  Lake  of  Islotes, 
which  lies  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  Other  lakes,  and  many  of  lesser 
importance,  are  the  Catazaya"  and  Jumajab. 

Fauna  and  Flora.  The  fauna  of  the  State  i--  rich  and  varied, 
embracing  60  species  of  mammals,  LOO  birds.  4<»  reptiles,  9  !>at  rachians, 
40  fishes,  and  numberless  insects,  myriapoda,  crustaceans,  mollusks, 
corals,  sponges,  etc.  The  cochineal  {coccus  cacti)  is  most  abundant,  as 
is  also  the  mollusk  called  Aplisia  depUans,  used  by  the  Indian-  as  a 
dye  substance.  This  is  said  to  be  the  same  dye  known  to  the  ancients 
as  lepus  marinus,  from  which  they  extracted  the  purple  of  Tyre,  in 
Asia  Minor.  The  flora  is  equally  rich,  comprising  over  7"  classes  of 
cabinet  woods.  50  different  kinds  of  timber,  40  varieties  of  fruits,  30 
textile  plants.  22  tanning  plants,  roots,  leaves,  and  barks.  25  oleagi- 
nous plants,  36  dyewoods,  1">  forage  and  L5 poisonous  plant-.  :'.i>  gums 
and  resins,  and  many  varieties  of  medicinal  plants  and  ornamental 
flowers. 

Resources.  The  main  industries  of  the  State  are  agriculture  and 
commerce,  which  occupy  the  lirst  rank:  forest  exploitation,  -tuck 
raising,  and  the  development  of  the  salt  deposits  of  the  coast.  Among 
the  principal  cultivated  product-  are  coffee,  cacao,  tobacco,  sugar  cane, 
and  indigo.  Mexican  official  statistics  for  L902  give  the  following 
figures  in  regard  to  the  production  of  these  articles  for  the  period  to 
which  reference  is  made: 


Cacao ... 
Coffee... 
Tobacco 
Sugar  cane  and  products 


Kilograms. 


1,551,705 

- 


Value. 


Indigo 


-I.  1  13,  182 

I,  L43.228 

14,232 

108,963 


Koinero.in  hi>  report  on  Coffee  Culture  on  the  Southern  Coast  of 
Chiapas,0  estimated  that  a  coffee  plantation  in  Soconusco  would  yield 
in  the  fifth  year,  and  every  year  thereafter,  a  profit  of  L35.49  per  cent 
on  the  capital  invested  during  the  four  first  years.  Cacao  yields  four 
crops  a  year  in  the  State,  the  principal  crop  being  in  May  and  the  other 
three  in  August,  November,  and  February.  It  also  grows  wild  at  the 
highest  altitudes,  where  it  is  known  under  the  name  of  "wild  cacao." 
It  is  -fated  that  the  Soconusco  cacao  is  the  best  variety  obtainable. 

The  tobacco  of  Mapaztepel  and  Simojovel  i-.  according  to  expert-. 
as  good  as  the  product  from  Tuxla  (Veracruz)  and  Huimanguillo 
(Tabasco).  The  indigo  from  the  department  of  Tonala*  is  very  tine,  and 
is  sent  abroad  almost  in  it-  entirety. 

The  climate  and  soil  are  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  fruits  of  all 

"Coffee  and  Rubber  Culture  in  Mexico. — New  York,  1898. 


CHIAPAS.  81 

kinds,  the  mulberry  tree  and  the  vine.  Rubber  grows  wild  throughout 
the  State.  Stock  raising,  although  immense  facilities  are  afforded  by 
nature,  has  not  been  developed  to  the  extent  it  deserves.  There  are, 
however,  herds  of  cattle  of  all  kinds,  and  the  department  of  Tuxla 
Gutierrez  is  noted  for  the  manufacture  of  round  cheeses  equal  if  not 
superior  to  the  Edam  or  Holland  cheese. 

Mining. — The  mining  wealth  of  Chiapas  has  neither  been  properly 
explored  nor  exploited;  the  most  trustworthy  data,  however,  show 
that  gold  and  copper  are  found  in  certain  places  in  the  Sierra  Madre 
Range;  iron,  lead,  talcum,  and  coal  in  the  valle}T  of  San  Cristobal,  and 
asphalt,  sulphur,  sulphate  of  sodium,  gypsum,  alabaster,  nitrate  of 
soda,  salt,  yellow  amber,  etc.,  in  various  sections.  The  salt  deposits  of 
Tonala,  Cuztepeques,  and  Soconusco  }rield  an  abundant  supply  of  that 
mineral,  many  persons  being  engaged  in  developing  this  source  of 
wealth.  It  is  said  that  the  Sierra  Madre  range  also  contains  silver, 
lead,  and  iron  mines.  The  mining  production  of  the  State  in  1902  is 
officially  valued  at  $340,000. 

Trade. — Chiapas  exports  to  other  States  of  the  Republic,  to  Guate- 
mala, the  United  States,  and  Europe.  The  value  of  its  trade  with 
Guatemala  and  the  States  of  Tabasco  and  Oaxaca  may  be  estimated  at 
about  $2,000,000  annually,  of  which  about  $800,000  is  credited  to 
imports  and  the  rest  to  exports.  To  Guatemala  is  sent  cattle  of  all 
kinds;  to  Oaxaca,  coffee,  tobacco,  etc.;  to  Mexico  City,  cacao,  cheese, 
and  tobacco;  to  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  coffee,  indigo,  woods,  and  fruits; 
to  Europe,  indigo  and  minerals.  The  imports  of  the  State  are  cotton, 
woolen,  silk,  and  linen  goods,  wines  and  liquors,  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion, petroleum,  canned  goods,  sewing  machines,  machinery  and  agri- 
cultural implements,  dyes  and  medicinal  products,  paper,  books,  etc. 
The  principal  custom-houses  are  situated  at  Soconusco  and  Tonala. 

Com/munications. — Three  concessions  have  been  granted  for  the  con- 
struction of  railways  through  the  State:  One  from  San  Juan  Bautista 
to  El  Paso  de  Tamulte,  another  from  the  port  of  San  Benito  to  Tapa- 
chula,  and  another  from  the  port  of  Tonala  to  Frontera  (Tabasco), 
passing  through  Tuxla  Gutierrez.  There  are  telegraph  and  telephone 
lines,  an  efficient  mail  service,  and  fine  wagon  roads  throughout  the 
State. 

Industries. — The  principal  manufacturing  industries  are:  The  man- 
ufacture of  the  products  of  sugar  cane,  such  as  rum,  sugar,  molasses, 
etc. ;  cheese,  hats,  mats,  cotton  and  woolen  fabrics,  cigars,  soaps,  can- 
dles, and  the  tanning  of  hides. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  politically  into  11  departments  and 
101  municipalities.     The  departments  are: 

Pichucalco,  population,  26,171;   chief  town,  Pichucalco,  11-1  kilo- 
meters southwest  of  San  Juan  Bautista  and  357  kilometers  southwest 
of  Frontera  (Tabasco). 
509a— 0-1 6 


82  mi M'  o. 

Simojovel,  population,  25,562;  chief  town.  Simojovel,  L,076  kilo- 
meters east-southeasi  of  Mexico  City,  84  kilometers  northwest  of  San 
( hristobal,  and  172  kilometers  southeasl  of  Sun  Juan  Bautista. 

Palenque,  population,  L6,808;  chief  town.  Catazajd,  126  and  L24 
kilometers  northwest  and  northeast  of  Frontera  (Tabasco)  and  Carmen 
or  Laguna  (Campeche);  another  important  town  in  the  department  i- 
Palenque,  230  kilometer-  from  San  Cristobal  and  316  kilometers  from 
Tuxla,  its  neighborhood  being  celebrated  for  the  Palenque  ruins,  which 
contain  remnants  of  the  Maya  civilization. 

Chilon,  population,  35,434;  chief  town.  Ocosingo,  100  kilometers 
northeast  of  San  Cristobal  and  188  kilometers  northeast  of  Tuxla 
( rutierrez. 

Comitan.  population,  4:;.s7t'>:  chief  town.  Comitan,  1,337  kilometers 
from  Mexico  City,  84  kilometers  from  San  Cristobal,  88  kilometers 
from  Tuxla.  and  1'.'  kilometers  from  the  frontier  custom-house  of 
Zapatula;  i-  on  the  Rio  Blanco,  and  the  commercial  center  of  the  State. 

Soconusco,  population,  36,641;  chief  town.  Tapachula,  on  the 
Coatan.  1,250  kilometers  from  .Mexico  City.  L30  kilometers  from 
Quezaltenango  (Guatemala);  another  important  town  being  the  port 
of  Soconusco  or  San  Benito,  35  kilometer-  southwest  of  Tapachula, 
the  principal  traffic  of  which  is  carried  on  with  Guatemala,  Panama, 
and  San  Francisco.  Cal. 

Tonala.  population,  12,258;  chief  town.  Tonala.  one  of  the  best 
ports  on  the  Pacific  coast,  200  kilometers  from  Tuxla  Gutierrez  and 
.">7<>  kilometer-,  from  San  Cristobal  (it  being  the  natural  port  for  these 
two  citio).  998  kilometers  from  Mexico  City.  508  kilometers  from 
Oaxaca,  and  139  kilometers  from  Tehuantepec  The  railway  from 
Tonala  to  Tuxla  Gutierrez,  San  Cristobal,  and  Frontera  -tart-  from 
thi-  point.  The  city  also  has  a  maritime  custom-house  and  a  number 
of  foreign  business  houses,  mainly  American  ami  German.  It  carries 
on  an  active  trade  with  San  Francisco.  Cal..  and  the  ports  of  Central 
America.  This  trade  is  valued  at  over  $300,000  annually,  of  which 
$200,000  i-  credited  to  exports  and  the  remainder  to  imports.  The 
Pacific  Mail  connect-  the  port  with  other  Pacific  ports. 

Tuxla  Gutierrez,  population  22,558;  chief  town.  Tuxla  Gutierrez. 
This  towji  is  the  capital  of  the  State,  with  (.0,982  inhabitants,  and  lies 
.">  kilometer-  from  the  river  Sabinas,  220  kilometer-  from  the  port  of 
Tonala*  on  the  Pacific,  17<>  kilometer-  from  San  Cristobal.  344  kilome- 
ter- from  San  Juan  Pauti-ta.  4^7  kilometers  from  Frontera  (Tabasco), 
and  1.1  L5  kilometers  from  Mexico  ( 'ity.  It-  climate  is  temperate  and 
healthy.  It  is  an  important  commercial  and  manufacturing  center,  to 
he  connected  with  both  the  Gulf  and  the  Pacific  coasts  by  the  Tonala 
and  Frontera  Railway.  The  principal  buildings  are  the  Covernment 
Palace,  the  theater,  the  high  school,  and  the  hospital.  Its  main  indus- 
tries are  tannine-,  the  preparation  of  indigo,  the  manufacture  of  round 
cheeses,  and  commerce. 


CHIHUAHUA.  83 

Mezcalapa  or  Progreso,  population  12,635,  whose  chief  town,  Copai- 
nala,  is  84  kilometers  from  Tuxla  Gutierrez. 

Chiapa,  population  19,014,  the  chief  town,  Chiapa  de  Corzo,  being 
situated  12  kilometers  from  Tuxla  Gutierrez,  85  kilometers  from  San 
Cristobal,  232  kilometers  from  the  port  of  Tonahi,  and  1,127  kilome- 
ters from  Mexico  City. 

Libertad,  population  is, 245;  its  chief  town  is  San  Bartolome  de  los 
Llanos,  situated  in  a  fertile  plain  70  kilometers  from  the  capital  of  the 
State  and  310  from  the  port  of  Tonahi. 

San  Cristobal  or  El  Centra,  population  31,783,  whose  principal  town, 
San  Cristobal  de  las  Casas,  was  until  1S!>2  the  capital  of  the  State,  and 
consequently  is  one  of  the  most  important  towns  in  the  department. 
Among  its  buildings  are  the  Cathedral,  the  old  and  new  Goyernment 
palaces,  the  Institute  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  the  Episcopal  Palace,  the 
Seminaiy,  the  theater,  the  hospital,  and  the  Public  Library,  which 
contains  upward  of  4,000  volumes.  The  city  is  1,203  kilometers  dis- 
tant from  the  capital  of  the  Republic,  86  kilometers  from  the  State 
capital,  370  kilometers  from  Tonala,  850  kilometers  from  Veracruz 
by  land,  538  kilometers  from  San  Jose  (Guatemala),  736  kilometers 
from  Merida  (Yucatan),  and  746  kilometers  from  Oaxaca.  Agricul- 
ture, stock  raising,  and  manual  industries  are  the  principal  sources  of 
wealth  of  the  city  and  department. 

CHIHUAHUA. 

The  State  of  Chihuahua,  whose  capital  is  the  city  of  the  same  name, 
at  an  altitude  of  1,516  meters,  has  a  population  of  327,784  persons, 
8,000  of  whom  are  Indians  belonging  principally  to  the  Tarahumara 
race.  It  is  not  only  the  largest  of  the  27  States  of  the  Republic,  but 
is  also  one  of  the  richest  in  natural  resources.  Its  area  is  233,094 
square  kilometers,  or  about  three  times  that  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
This  vast  area  is  but  sparsely  populated,  containing  only  1.15  inhabit- 
ants to  the  square  kilometer,  while  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  about 
one-third  its  size,  has  140.1  inhabitants  to  the  square  mile. 

Boundaries. — Its  northern  boundaiy  is  formed  by  the  Rio  Grande 
River,  which  separates  the  State  from  the  United  States.  It  is  bounded 
on  the  east  by  Coahuila,  on  the  south  hy  Durango,  and  on  the  west  by 
Sinaloa  and  Sonora. 

Situation. — The  State  is  situated  on  an  undulating  table-land,  the 
elevation  of  which  varies  from  3,500  to  7,000  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  sea.  Mountain  peaks  abound  in  the  Sierra  Madre  range,  which 
traverses  the  State.  Some  of  the  principal  peaks,  situated  in  that  part 
of  the  range  known  as  Sierra  de  Tarahumares,  with  their  elevations 
above  sea  level,  are  Jesus  y  Maria,  2,511  feet;  Mesa  de  Tabascotes, 
2,359  feet,  and  Bufa  de  Cerro  Prieto,  2,811  feet.  Among  the  plains  of 
greater  area  lying  between  the  mountain  peaks  and  ranges  are  the 
Chilicote,  the  Gigantes,  and  Bolson  de  Mapimi. 


84  MEXICO. 

Climate.  —The  climate  of  the  entire  State  is  salubrious  and  health- 
ful. The  summers  are  long,  and  for  a  few  months  considerable  heat 
is  felt  in  the  lower  elevations  during  the  middle  of  the  day,  bul  the 
nights  are  always  cool  ami  pleasant.  During  the  short  winter-,  espe 
cially  in  the  elevated  portions  of  the  table-lands,  frosts  frequently 
occur,  and  sometimes  snow  falls.  Considerable  rain  falls  during  the 
summer,  hut  in  winter  the  precipitation  is  very  light. 

Resources,  Notwithstanding  large  portions  of  this  State  are  already 
under  cultivation,  there  are  still  hundreds  of  thousands  of  acres  of 
good  land  that  could  lie  utilized  by  irrigation  and  rendered  exceedingly 
productive.  Its  mountains,  rich  in  ores  and  mineral  wealth,  offer  an 
inviting  field  to  the  capitalist,  prospector,  and  miner.  In  a  word, 
capital  and  labor  will  find  in  the  rich  and  progressive  State  of  Chihua- 
hua unbounded  opportunities  for  profitable  investment  and  employ- 
ment. Coal  exists  in  various  localities,  but  most  of  the  mines,  lacking 
good  transportation  facilities,  have  been  hut  little  developed. 

Agriculture. — Chihuahua  produces  corn,  wheat,  rye.  oats,  potatoes, 
beans,  vegetables,  and  most  of  the  fruits  of  the  temperate  zone.  Cot- 
ton is  grown  along  the  borders  of  some  of  the  lower  rivers  with  great 
success.  Latest  available  official  statistics  for  1901  give  the  follow- 
ing, figures  for  the  principal  agricultural  products  of  the  State: 
Cereals.  $3,506,488,  of  which  over  $1,500,000  is  represented  by  wheat 
to  the  quantity  of  20,000,000  kilos:  maguey  products,  $180,000,  and 
textile  fibers,  $20,000.  The  principal  source  of  industry,  however,  is 
the  raising  <)f  cattle,  sheep,  horses,  and  mules.  Haciendas  of  several 
hundred  square  miles,  producing  as  many  as  20,000  head  of  cattle. 
horses,  etc.,  are  common.  It  is  estimated  that  on  some  of  the  large 
ranches  there  are  branded  from  30,000  to  40.1100  calves  yearly.  Besides 
mesquite  and  similar  trees,  which  grow  everywhere,  cedar  is  found  in 
the  Sierra  Madre,  while  in  some  parts  of  the  State  vast  forests  of  oak 
and  pine  cover  the  mountain  slopes.  There  are  several  Mormon 
colonies  in  Chihuahua,  all  of  which  are  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
These  colonies  are  rapidly  becoming  an  important  factor  in  the  agri- 
cultural development  of  the  country. 

Mining.  The  mineral  riches  of  Chihuahua  are  probably  not  sur- 
passed by  any  other  State  of  the  Republic.  Millions  of  dollars'  worth 
of  gold,  silver,  copper,  ami  lead  ores  are  mined  annually,  and  the  out- 
put is  constantly  increasing.  Large  quantities  of  these  ores  are  treated 
in  the  smelting  and  reduction  works  <>t'  the  State  and  elsewhere  in  the 
Republic.  The  number  of  mining  claims  registered  during  the  year 
ending  December  31,  1901,  is  officially  given  at  2,019  claims,  covering 

an  extensii I'  19,759  hectares.     For  the  year  ending  December  31, 

1902,  the  number  of  claims  registered  was  2,550,  covering  an  area  of 
•J7.77:;  hectares.  The  extension  of  the  Rio  Grande,  Sierre  Madre  and 
Pacific  Railway  and  the  completion  of  the  Chihuahua  and  Pacific  Kail- 
way,  now  in  course  of  construction,  together  with  the  utilizing  of 


CHIHUAHUA. 


85 


newly  discovered  reduction  processes  in  the  treating  of  ores,  will  be 
of  great  force  in  the  development  of  the  State.  Among  the  numerous 
known  mining  districts,  all  noted  for  their  abundant  production  of 
ores,  the  most  noteworthy  are  Santa  Eulalia,  Parral,  Minas,  Nuevas, 
Palmarejo,  Uruapan,  Guazapares,  Cusihuiriachic,  Batopilas,  Cerro 
Colorado,  Corralitos,  etc.  The  official  estimate  of  the  mining  pro- 
duction of  the  State  for  1902  gives  the  following  data:  Number  of 
mines  in  operation,  <>2;  total  production,  160,293,277  kilograms,  valued 
at  $13,617,315.  The  mines  in  operation  were  of  gold,  silver,  copper, 
lead,  and  iron. 

Trade. — Lying  directly  south  of  the  United  States,  the  State  of 
Chihuahua  is  exceedingly  well  situated  for  the  carrying  on  of  inter- 
national trade.  Cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs  are  exported  annually  in  con- 
siderable numbers  to  the  United  States.  Though  this  industry  is  as 
yet  in  its  infancy,  under  proper  conditions  and  encouragement  it  could 
be  increased  and  developed  to  immense  proportions. 

Communications. — The  main  line  of  the  Mexican  Central  Railway 
extends  for  a  distance  of  850  kilometers  through  the  State.  A  branch 
line  of  this  road  also  traverses  the  important  mining  district  of  Parral. 
The  Mexican  Northern  Railway  runs  from  Escalon  to  Sierra  Mojada, 
State  of  Coahuila,  connecting  that  region,  rich  in  low-grade  lead  ores, 
with  the  Mexican  Central  sj^stem.  The  Rio  Grande,  Sierra  Madre  and 
Pacific  Railway  and  the  Chihuahua  and  Pacific  Railway  are  now  being 
constructed,  and  will  unite  the  capital  of  the  State  with  rich  mining 
and  agricultural  sections  hitherto  difficult  of  access.  Good  wagon 
roads  abound  and  connect  the  different  districts  with  Chihuahua,  the 
capital. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  ten  districts,  the  names,  prin- 
cipal towns,  and  population  of  which  are  as  follows: 


Principal  town. 


Population 
of  district. 


Andres  del  Rio . 

Arteaga 

Bravos 

Camargo 


Batopilas 

Chinipas 

Ciudad  Juarez 
Santa  Rosalia  . 


Guerrero !  Ciudad  Guerrero. 

Hidalgo 

Iturbide 

Jimenez 

Mina 

Ravon 


Total 


Hidalgo  del  Parral 

Chihuahua  (capital  of  the  State) 

Jimenez  de  los  Santos 

Guadalupe  y  Calvo 

Ocampo 


27, 996 
9,417 
12,233 
27, 795 
25, 828 
48,  744 
104, 232 
24,543 
12,717 
16, 761 


327, 784 


The  following  are  some  of  the  most  important  towns  of  the  State: 


Towns. 

Number 
of  inhab- 
itants. 

Towns. 

Number 
of  inhab- 
itants. 

■M,  405 
14,  74.S 
8,218 

9,318 
3,500 
3,200 

Allende 

80  MEXICO. 

The  city  of  Chihuahua  is  the  metropolis  and  business  center  of  the 
entire  northwestern  section  of  the  Republic,  and  does  a  larger  business 
than  other  Mexican  townsof  five  times  its  size.  Not  only  does  it  sup- 
ply the  outfits  for  the  majority  of  the  mining  camps  and  prospecting 
expeditions  of  the  State,  hut  it  contains  a  number  of  banks  and  com 
mercial  houses  engaged  in  all  branches  of  business.  It  also  has  large 
manufacturing  establishments.  The  Compania  Industrial  Mexicanais 
one  of  the  largest  iron  foundries  and  machine  factories  in  the  Republic. 
The  Chihuahua  Brewery,  one  of  the  best  constructed  breweries  of  the 
country,  has  a  capital  of  nearly  500,000 pesos.  The  woolen  factories, 
Concordia.  La  Paz,  and  Rio  Florido,  produce  fine  cassimeres,  blankets, 
carpets,  cotton  goods,  etc.  Besides  these  and  the  Compania  Minera, 
there  are  a  number  of  other  establishments  which  are  favorably  known 
throughout  the  Republic.  A  Federal  assay  office  is  situated  at  Chi- 
huahua, which,  according  to  official  figures,  during  the  year  L900-1901 
assayed  silver  and  gold  to  the  value  of  $2,520,995  for  coining  pur- 
poses and  $1,504,098  for  export,  while  the  figures  for  1901-2  are 
*2,795,408  and  $1,802,640,  respectively. 

COAHUILA. 

The  State  of  Coahuila,  population  290,938 — whose  capital  isSaltillo. 
1,627  meters  above  the  sea.  population  ^:'».'.*,.m;  —  is  one  of  the  largest, 
richest,  and  most  fertile  regions  in  the  Republic;  being  also  the  third 
largest  State.  At  is  northern  boundary  it  connects  with  the  United 
States,  and  although  its  population  is  at  present  numerically  small  it 
is  steadily  increasing,  owing  to  the  great  undeveloped  wealth  of  its 
territory,  which  is  traversed  by  five  great  railroad  lines— the  Interna- 
tional, the  Central,  the  Gulf  Line,  the  National  Mexican,  and  the 
Northern  Mexican. 

Boundaries. — The  boundaries  of  the  State  are:  On  the  north,  the 
United  States  of  America,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  the  Rio  Bravo; 
on  the  east,  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon;  on  the  south.  San  Luis  Poto9i 
and  Zacatecas;  on  the  southwest  and  west.  Durango;  and  on  the  north- 
west and  west,  the  State  of  Chihuahua.  Its  superficial  area,  according 
to  the  latest  available  official  publication,  "Anuario Estadistico,  L902," 
is  b;5,099  kilometer-. 

Situation. — The  State,  which  is  very  irregular  in  outline,  occupies  a 
territory  which,  in  the  north,  is  a  tlat  table-land,  crossed  by  small 
ranges  of  mountains  and  hills,  becoming  more  broken  toward  the  south. 
The  numerous  branches  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  in  the  southern  and  cen- 
tral portions,  are  very  rich  in  minerals  and  form  the  beautiful  valleys 
of  ParraSj  Sobaco,  Catarina,  San  Isidro,  San  Marcos.  Alamo.  Santa 
Rosa,  and  Hundido.  The  northern  range-  are  covered  with  zacate, 
certain  species  of  the  agave  plant,  and  cacti.  In  tin1  plains  extending 
from  the  foot  of  these  mountains  northward  the  heat  is  intense,  owing 


COAHUILA.  87 

to  low  altitude  and  the  scarcity  of  rain.  These  plains  form  a  desert 
where  the  rich  coal  deposits  of  the  State  are  found.  To  the  southeast 
lies  the  beautiful  and  rich  agricultural  region  known  as  the  Laguna, 
said  to  contain  the  most  fertile  soil  in  the  world.  The  valley  of  Parras, 
the  foremost  viticultural  section,  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  State.  The  mountainous  region  is  rich  in  gold,  silver,  iron,  cop- 
per, lead,  and  other  mineral  products.  The  altitude  varies  from  700 
to  5,800  feet  above  sea  level,  and  with  respect  to  temperature  is 
divided  into  the  hot  lands,  embracing  the  northern  portions;  the  tem- 
perate region,  which  includes  the  southern  portions  and  the  valleys; 
and  the  cold  region,  which  is  the  mountainous  section. 

Climate. — The  climate  is  not  healthy,  the  most  common  diseases 
being  malarial  fevers,  typhus,  rheumatism,  and  affections  of  the  respir- 
atory and  digestive  organs.  Winds  are  veiy  variable  and  rains  abun- 
dant in  the  districts  of  Saltillo,  Viesca,  and  Rio  Grande;  moderate  in 
Parras,  and  scarce  in  Monclova  and  the  lowlands.  Frost  is  occasional 
in  the  southern  portion  of  the  State  and  very  frequent  in  the  Rio 
Grande  section. 

Topography. — The  principal  mountain  ranges  are  in  the  districts  of 
Rio  Grande  and  Monclova.  There  are  also  the  Sierra  del  Carmen  or 
Las  Cruces,  on  the  boundary  line  of  the  two  districts  named;  the 
Sierra  Madre,  in  the  Saltillo  district;  the  Sierra  Paila,  in  Parras;  and 
Sierra  Noas,  in  Viesca,  besides  numerous  ramifications  of  the  original 
systems,  and  small  ranges  and  hills  running  in  all  directions.  The 
different  ranges  run  in  almost  parallel  lines,  and  so  close  together  that 
their  slopes  form  a  number  of  canyons,  of  which  the  principal  are 
San  Marcos,  Santa  Rosa,  and  El  Rosario  in  the  south,  and  Los  Arboles 
and  San  Rodrigo  in  the  north. 

Hydrography. — Owing  to  the  vast  area  of  the  State  of  Coahuila  and 
the  paucity  of  rivers  irrigating  it,  the  entire  extent  has  been  con- 
sidered as  a  sterile  country.  This  is  true  in  a  general  way.  as  in  many 
places  only  natural  deposits  of  rain  waters  are  found;  but  on  the  other 
hand,  there  are  extremely  fertile  sections,  such  as  the  "lagunas," 
thoroughly  irrigated  by  the  Nazas  and  Aguanaval  rivers.  The  prin- 
cipal water  courses  are  the  Rio  Bravo,  or  Rio  Grande,  forming  the 
boundary  line  with  Texas,  which  rises  in  the  State  of  Colorado  (United 
States),  enters  Mexican  territory  near  Ciudad  Juarez,  or  Paso  del 
Norte,  and  after  traversing  a  course  of  over  800  kilometers  and  receiv- 
ing many  tributaries,  finally  empties  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Next 
in  importance  is  the  Sabinas,  forming  the  eastern  boundary  between 
the  districts  of  Monclova  and  Rio  Grande,  which  rises  in  Sierra  del 
Carmen  and  passing  through  San  Juan  de  Salinas  and  Juarez  enters 
the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon  opposite  the  frontier  custom-house  of  Cue 
rrero,  where  it  forms  the  Rio  Salado.  an  affluent  of  the  Rio  Bravo. 
Other  rivers  are  the  Alamos,  Monclova,   Patos,  Saltillo,  Aguanaval. 


88  MEXICO. 

and   Nazas,  besides  their  tributaries  and  a  great  number  of  smaller 

stream-.     The  principal  Lagoons  are  the  Alamo,  or  Parras,  in  the  < I i - 
trict  of  Viesca;   the  Mayan.  or  Muerta.  larger  than  the  former,  in  the 
Parras  district;  the  Agua  Verde  and  the  Santa  Maria,  in  the  district 
of  Monclova. 

Wauna  and  flora.  The  fauna  of  the  State  has  not  been  thoroughly 
studied  on  account  of  the  great  extent  of  territory  and  the  scarcity  of 
the  population.  l>ut  there  are  over  4o  species  of  mammals,  TO  birds, 
L6  reptiles.  5  batrachians,  4  fishes,  numerous  insects,  etc.  The  flora 
comprises  over  ''><»  varieties  of  trees  indigenous  to  the  cold  and  tempe 
rate  regions  and  50  belonging  to  the  hot  lands.  The  principal  fruits 
number  upward  of  40  varieties,  notably  grapes,  both  white  and  purple, 
suitable  for  the  manufacture  of  wines,  alcohol,  and  raisins;  the  Parras 
district  is  especially  famous  for  their  production.  Other  fruits  are 
pears,  apples,  peaches,  etc.  The  number  of  textile  plants  is  estimated 
at  L5;  tanning  plants,  L3;  oleaginous  seeds,  L0;  plants  for  dyeing  pur- 
poses, li»;  forage  plants,  13;  poisonous  plants. 17:  gums  and  resins.  \-j.\ 
medicinal  plants.  TO,  and  over  100  varieties  of  ornamental  plants  and 
flowers. 

Agriculture. — Agriculture  is  the  principal  industry  of  the  State; 
cotton,  corn,  wheat,  beans,  pease,  sugar  cane,  linseed,  and  about  30 
species  of  leguminous  plants  being  the  most  common  products.  ( irape 
culture  is  attaining  greater  importance  daily,  and  it  is  claimed  that  the 
product  of  the  district  of  Parras  is  sweeter  and  more  delicious  than 
that  of  California,  and  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  the  Malaga  and 
Granada  varieties.  Official  statistics  for  1!»i>l>  estimate  the  amount 
of  grape  alcohol  produced  by  the  State  at  L,883  hectoliters,  valued  at 
$75,320,  and  7,183  hectoliters  of  wine,  valued  at  $192, <>»>»>;  grape-. 
1.444.7;;o  kilos,  valued  al  $64,496;  cotton.  14.o7:;.t;,ii  kilos,  at  s.;,. ;»;<;.- 

277;  ixtle  over  5,250,000  kilos,  at  $800, »:  corn  to  the  value  of  over 

$2,000,000,  and  wheal  about  $1,500,000.  Almost  all  the  plantations 
in  Coahuila  are  equipped  with  modern  machinery  and  implements  and 
follow  the  most  advanced  systems  of  cultivation.  One  of  the  greatest 
sources  of  wealth  is  cattle  raising,  the  plains  affording  excellent  pas- 
turage for  the  stock.  Efforts  have  been  made  to  improve  the  breeds 
by  crossing  the  native  cattle  with  tine  imported  specimens.  Several 
foreign  companies  have  bought  lands  for  cattle  breeding. 

Mining.  The  mineral  wealth  of  the  State  remained  unrecognized 
until  a  few  years  ago.  but  its  development  has  since  been  so  steady 
and  rapid  that  now  mining  may  be  said  to  constitute  one  of  the  chief 
industries.  The  wealth  of  Sierra  Mojada.  Sierra  did  Carmen,  and  the 
valley  of  Santa  Rosa  is  almost  incredible.  These  mineral  regions  arc 
in  reality  immense  silver  deposits,  which,  in  conjunction  with  the  coal 
fields  of  Piedras  Negras  and  Salina  Valley,  and  the  agricultural  prod 
nets  of  the  "Laguna,'''  form  the  foundations  of  the  future  wealth  of 


COAHUILA.  89 

the  State.  The  registered  number  of  mines  in  Coahuila  on  the  31st 
of  December,  1902,  according  to  Mexican  official  figures,  amounted  to 
551,  covering  an  area  of  11,240  hectares,  the  principal  minerals  being 
silver,  lead,  coal,  copper,  iron,  and  gold.  The  production  of  these  mines 
in  1902  is  officially  given  at  535,000,000  kilos,  valued  at  $4,236,000. 

Trade. — Coahuila  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  commercial  sections 
of  the  Republic,  due,  mainly,  to  its  railroad  system,  which  affords  the 
necessary  facilities  for  the  transportation  of  the  State  products,  such 
as  cotton,  live  stock,  minerals,  wines,  etc.  The  export  trade  is  princi- 
pally with  the  United  States,  the  metallic  products  being  forwarded 
over  the  Mexican  Northern  Railwa}T  from  Sierra  Mojada  to  Escalon, 
thence  on  the  Mexican  Central  to  Ciudad  Juarez.  Some  coal  is  exported 
to  the  United  States  through  Piedras  Negras,  the  remainder  being  con- 
sumed in  the  county  by  such  railways  as  use  this  fuel.  Flour  is  sent 
to  Nuevo  Leon,  cotton  fabrics  to  the  States  of  Zacatecas,  Jalisco, 
Durango.  Mexico,  and  Monterey:  salt,  live  stock,  wool,  and  skins  to 
several  Mexican  States  and  to  Texas;  raw  cotton,  table  grapes,  cereals, 
etc.,  to  several  neighboring  States,  and  ixtle  and  its  various  manufac- 
tures to  the  United  States.  The  commerce  of  the  State  is  in  the  hands 
of  Americans.  Spaniards,  Germans,  and  Frenchmen.  The  leading  mar- 
kets are  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz  or  Piedras  Negras,  a  customs  port  on 
the  American  frontier;  Saltillo,  San  Pedro  de  la  Laguna  or  Colonia, 
Torreon,  Sierra  Mojada,  Monclova,  Parras,  and  Viesca.  According 
to  the  "  Boletin  de  Estadistica  Fiscal,"  the  value  of  the  trade  through 
the  city  of  Porfirio  Diaz  during  the  fiscal  year  1901-2  amounted  to 
$4,810,637  for  imports  and  $5,677,603  for  exports.  During  the  first 
6  months  of  the  fiscal  year  1902-3,  according  to  the  same  authority,  the 
imports  and  exports  through  said  city  were  ^2,745,976  and  §3,004,404, 
respectively.  The  total  trade  of  the  State  can  be  estimated  from 
$11,000,000  to  $12,000,000  silver  per  annum. 

( 'ommunications. — The  railway  system  of  the  State  is  probably  the 
best  in  the  Republic.  It  is  traversed  by  five  different  lines,  as  follows: 
The  Mexican  International,  from  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Rio  Bravo  del  Norte,  opposite  Eagle  Pass  (Texas),  to  the  city  of 
Durango,  capital  of  the  State  of  the  same  name,  a  distance  of  869.51 
kilometers.  Its  main  tracks  are  within  the  territory  of  Coahuila  as 
far  as  Torreon,  or  a  length  of  616.55  kilometers.  This  railway  system 
has  several  branches  open  to  traffic,  and  others  either  in  proces-  of 
construction  or  under  survey,  namely,  from  Sabinas  to  Honda,  19.81 
kilometers;  from  Monclova  to  Cuatro  Cienegas,  67.15  kilometers; 
from  Hornos  to  San  Pedro,  23.37  kilometers;  and  from  Pedricena  to 
Velardena,  9.35  kilometers,  this  last  in  the  territory  of  Durango. 

The  Mexican  Central,  which  crosses  the  southeastern  section  of  the 
State  in  the  districts  of  Viesca  and  Parras,  running  in  the  former 
district  over  the  tracks  of  the  International  from  Mexico  to  Ciudad 


90  MEXICO. 

Juarez  and  in  Parraa  over  its  own  tracks  from  Lerdo  to  San  Pedro  de 
la  Colon ia  (La  Laguna  line).  There  are  several  stations,  the  line  in 
its  course  through  the  State  measuring  17s  kilometers  from  Sun  tsidro 
to  Torre6n  or  Nazas.  At  the  latter  place  the  Central  connects  with 
the  International  Railway.  From  Lerdo  (Durango)  starts  the  branch 
known  as  the  "  La  Laguna"  line,  whose  terminal  station  Is  San  Pedro 
de  la  Colonia,  the  distance  between  the  two  points  being  63.  4  kilo- 
meters. The  tracks  leave  the  territory  of  Coahuila  after  passing  the 
station  of  Jalisco,  and  after  traversing  a  section  of  Durango  return  to 
Coahuila  beyond  the  Canon  de  Picardias. 

The  Northern  Mexican  Is  essentially  for  the  mining  district,  and 
covers  a  distance  of  125  kilometers  from  Kscalon  (Chihuahua)  to  Sierra 
Mojada. 

The  Monterey  and  Gulf  Railway  runs  from  Monterey  to  Trevino  or 
Venadito,  a  distance  of  L06  kilometers. 

The  National  Mexican  runs  from  Ventura  to  La  Mariposa,  L52  kilo- 
meters, passing  through  Saltillo.  In  addition  there  is  a  line  projected 
to  run  direct  from  Monterey  (Nuevo  Leon)  to  the  city  of  Porfirio 
Diaz,  and  another  line  is  being  constructed  from  Saltillo  to  ( Soncepci6n 
del  Oro. 

Besides  the  railroads  there  are  excellent  wagon  roads  as  follows: 
From  Mexico  City  to  Saltillo.  925.64  kilometers;  Saltillo  to  Monterey. 
L05  kilometers;  to  Zacatecas,  480  kilometers;  to  Durango,  .">< >T  kilo- 
meters; to  Chihuahua.  !»<>!»  kilometers;  to  Zaragoza  or  Rio  Grande 
and  the  shores  of  the  Rio  Bravo,  500  kilometers;  to  San  Antonio, 
Tex..  864  kilometers,  and  from  Zaragoza  to  Sancti  Spiritus,  Tex., 
L,032  kilometers. 

The  telegraphic  network  of  the  State  covers  an  area  of  about  2,000 
kilometers,  while  telephone  lines  extend  over  more  than  loo  kilo- 
meters.    The  mail  service  is  very  efficient. 

Industries.-  The  principal  manufacturing  industry  is  the  manufacture 
of  cotton  and  knitted  goods,  there  being  in  the  State  on  December  31, 
1901,  51,618  spindles  and  1.715  looms,  the  quantity  of  cotton  consumed 
during  the  year  amounting  to  2,082,130  kilograms,  the  output  being 
estimated  at  549,373  pieces  of  printed  goods  and  60,000  kilograms 
twine.  Other  manufacturing  industries  are  wines,  tanned  skins  and 
hide-,  soap,  candles,  cheese,  shoes,  molasses,  furniture,  pottery,  car- 
riages, wagons,  and  chocolate. 

Divisions.—  The  State  of  Coahuila  is  divided  into  5  districts,  subdi- 
vided into  33  municipalities.     The  districts  are  as  follows: 

Monclova,  population  75,133;  chief  town  Monclova,  on  the  river  of 
the  same  name,  is  situated  in  the  midst  of  fertile  farm  lands,  on  the 
line  of  the  International  Railroad,  238  kilometers  southwest  of  Ciudad 
Porfirio  Diaz.  370  kilometers  from  Torreon,  1,514  from  Mexico  City 
by  rail,  and  170  kilometers  distant  from  Saltillo.     The  other  leading 


COAHUILA.  91 

towns  in  the  district  are  Muzquis,  Cuatro  Ciengas,  Sierra  Mojada — an 
important  mining  town,  120  kilometers  from  Saltillo,  and  one  of  the 
terminal  stations  of  the  Northern  Railway,  whose  exports  of  lead  and 
iron  ores  to  the  United  States  are  estimated  at  about  $300,000  per 
annum — and  Candela  or  Romero  Rnbio.  The  International  and  North- 
ern Mexican  railways  traverse  the  district,  the  former  running  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  and  the  latter  toward  the  southwest. 

Rio  Grande,  population  46,851;  its  chief  town,  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz 
(formerly  Piedras  Negras),  7,888  inhabitants,  is  situated  1,752  kilome- 
ters from  Mexico  City,  180  kilometers  from  Saltillo,  and  65  kilometers 
from  Zaragoza.  This  district  is  on  the  boundary  line  between  Mexico 
and  the  State  of  Texas,  and  its  capital  lies  directly  opposite  Eagle 
Pass,  vuth  which  it  is  connected  by  the  great  "international  bridge" 
across  the  Rio  Bravo,  belonging  to  the  International  Railway.  It  is 
an  iron  structure,  539.90  meters  in  length.  The  city  has  five  public 
buildings  and  is  an  important  customs  port.  Among  the  other  cities 
of  the  district  are  Zaragoza,  on  the  Rio  Grande,  65  kilometers  from 
Porfirio  Diaz  and  11  kilometers  north  of  Saltillo;  Guerrero,  562  kilo- 
meters from  Saltillo  and  52  kilometers  from  Porfirio  Diaz;  Morelos, 
Allende,  and  Nova. 

Saltillo,  or  El  Centro,  population  73,157;  chief  town  Saltillo,  or 
Leona  Vicario,  23,996  inhabitants  (also  the  capital  of  the  State),  865 
kilometers  from  Mexico  City  b}T  the  wagon  road  and  971  by  rail,  and 
179  kilometers  from  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz,  on  the  International  Rail- 
way.  It  is  one  of  the  stations  of  the  Mexican  National  Railroad  and  is 
the  principal  industrial  and  commercial  center  of  the  State.  The  prin- 
cipal buildings  are  the  government  palace,  the  Zaragoza  theater,  the 
municipal  palace,  the  Catholic  Cathedral,  the  penitentiary,  the  hospital, 
the  American  consulate,  and  several  others.  The  State  college,  called 
"Ateneo  Fuente,"  has  a  good  museum  of  natural  history,  also  a 
small  but  very  fine  public  library.  Saltillo  is  noted  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  zarapes  (shawls),  made  of  wool,  and  remarkable  not  only  for 
the  fastness  of  their  colors,  but  also  for  tasteful  combination,  artistic 
design,  and  fineness  of  fabric,  some  of  them  being  worth  as  much  as 
$200  to  $300.  Other  industries  are  the  manufacture  of  cotton  cloth, 
knitted  goods,  and  flour.  There  are  several  flour  mills  in  the  town 
and  cotton  mills  run  by  water  power.  Other  leading  towns  are  Ramos 
Arizpe,  15  kilometers  from  Saltillo,  on  the  Mexican  National  Railway, 
Artega,  and  Patos. 

Parras,  population  53,672;  its  principal  town,  Parras  de  la  Fuente, 
is  situated  126  kilometers  from  Saltillo  and  25  kilometers  from  the 
station  of  Pailas,  on  the  International  Railway,  with  which  it  is  con- 
nected by  a  stage  line.  This  town  is  located  in  a  very  fertile  valley, 
noted  for  its  fruit  production,  particularly  grapes.  There  are  cotton 
and  flour  mills  and  a  factory  devoted  to  the  preparation  of  grape  wine 


92  MEXICO. 

and  grape  rum.  San  Pedro  de  la  Colonia  is  the  second  town  in  the 
district,  situated  250  kilometers  from  Saltillo  and  L6  kilometers  from 
the  railway.  In  the  town  are  several  cotton-seed  oil  mills,  cotton  gins, 
and  a  large  factory  for  the  production  of  white  cotton  cloths,  colored 
drills,  toweling,  etc.  The  Mexican  International  Railway  traverses 
the  district,  stopping  at  seven  stations. 

Viesca,  population  47,825;  chic  I'  town  Viesca,  situated  224  kilometers 
from  Saltillo,  24  kilometers  from  Homos,  a  station  on  the  Interna- 
tional Railway,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a  stage  line,  and  ":-!  kilo- 
meters from  Torreon  station.  Other  leading  towns  are  Matamoros 
Laguna,  28  kilometers  from  Torre6n  station,  and  Torre6n,  an  important 
railway  station  of  the  Central  ami  the  International  lines,  L,  136  kilo- 
meters from  Mexico  City.  t;iti..v>  kilometers  from  Porfirio  Diaz,  and 
272  kilometers  from  Saltillo.  This  town  contains  a  cotton  mill  and  a 
soap  factory.  This  district  is  essentially  a  mining  region,  and  is  well 
supplied  with  railway  facilities,  the  Mexican  Central  traversing  it  from 
south  to  northwest,  a  distance  of  L.78  kilometer-,  and  the  International 
covering  an  extent  of  53.29  kilometers  from  west  to  east.  The  former 
line  has  9  stations  and  the  latter  1. 

( -ni. IMA. 

The  State  of  Colima.  population  65.115,  capital  Colhna.  504  meter- 
altitude,  population  20,698  is,  with  the  exception  of  Tlaxcala,  the 
smallest  and  least  populous  of  the  Mexican  States.  It  is  situated  in  a 
beautiful  tropical  region,  with  a  good  coast  line  on  the  Pacific. 

Boundaries.  The  boundaries  are  the  State  of  Jalisco  on  tin'  north, 
northeast,  and  west:  the  State  of  Michoacan  on  the  east,  and  the  Pacific 
Ocean  on  the  south.  Its  area  is  estimated  at  6,114  square  kilometer-, 
divided  as  follows:  Mainland.  5,928  square  kilometers,  and  the  islands 
of  Revillagigedo,  L86  square  kilometers. 

Climate.  The  climate  is  hot  and  unhealthy  except  in  the  north. 
where  tin  snow-crowned  peak  of  the  Colima  modifies  the  temperature. 
Rainfall  is  abundant,  and  the  winds  in  general  are  from  the  northeast. 
Malarial  fevers  are  prevalent  in  almost  all  sections. 

Topography.  The  northern  section  of  the  State,  occupied  by  the 
sl.>pe- of  the  Colima  volcano,  constitutes  the  mountainous  part  of  its 
territory,  the  a-cent  from  the  coast  rising  gradually  to  a  height  of 
1,200  meters.  The  literal  i-  washed  by  the  Pacific  for  an  extent  of 
160  kilometers.  It  i-  low  and  sandy  and  contains  rich  salt  deposits. 
The  Revillagigedo  group,  composed  of  four  desert  islands  of  volcanic 
origin,  named  Socorro.  San  Benedicto,  Rosa  Partida,  and  Clarion,  lies 
u-fo  kilometers  northwest  of  Manzanillo. 

Hydrography.  The  irrigating  stream-  are  the  Armeria  and  Coahua- 
yana  rivers  and  their  affluents.  The  former  traverses  the  center  of 
the  State  from  north  to  south,  emptying  into  the  Pacific  through  the 


COLIMA.  93 

mouth  of  the  Pascuales  after  a  course  of  294  kilometers,  its  navigable 
extent  only  reaching- 18  or  20  kilometers  from  the  mouth.  The  Coa- 
huayana  forms  the  natural  boundary  line  between  the  States  of  Michoa- 
can  and  Colima.  In  addition  to  the  water  courses  above  mentioned 
there  are  the  lakes  of  Cuyutlan  and  Alcuzagiie. 

Fan  n,i  n  ml  flora, — The  fauna  of  the  State,  although  rich  and  varied, 
is  little  known.  There  are  about  50  species  of  mammals,  over  100 
birds,  32  reptiles,  7  batrachians,  50  fishes,  and  numberless  insects  of 
all  kinds,  besides  corals  and  sponges  and  12  species  of  mollusks.  The 
flora  embraces  over  170  species  of  trees,  60  fruits,  25  textiles,  20  tan- 
ning plants,  12  oleaginous  seeds,  23  dye  plants,  about  20  forage  plants, 
9  poisonous  plants,  40  aromatic,  100  medicinal,  22  gums  and  resins, 
and  a  great  number  of  ornamental  shrubs  and  flowers. 

Resource*. — The  principal  industries  are  agriculture,  stock  raising, 
and  the  exploitation  of  the  salt  deposits.  The  fertility  of  the  soil,  due 
to  its  line  natural  irrigation,  permits  the  culture  of  various  products, 
among  others  coffee,  cacao,  tobacco,  rice,  cotton,  indigo,  sugar  cane, 
cereals,  and  leguminous  plants.  The  coffee  of  Colima  is  regarded  in 
German}^  as  the  best  on  the  market.  Official  figures,  from  Mexican 
sources,  estimate  its  production  in  1902  at  160,850  kilos,  valued  at 
$81,257.  In  the  same  year  cacao  was  quoted  at  2,000  kilos,  at  $2,000; 
tobacco,  126,715  kilos,  at  §11,553;  indigo,  3,442  kilos,  at  $7,426,  and 
cotton,  197,800  kilos,  at  $25,625.  For  the  development  of  its  agricul- 
tural wealth  the  State  is  greatly  in  need  of  colonists.  The  mineral 
wealth  lies  principally  in  the  salt  deposits,  which  extend  all  along  the 
coast.     There  are  also  mines  of  silver,  gold,  copper,  and  sulphur. 

Trade. — Colima  carries  on  an  active  trade  with  the  towns  south  of 
Jalisco,  with  Guadalajara,  Mazatlan,  and  other  Mexican  ports,  and 
with  the  foreign  ports  of  San  Francisco  and  San  Diego  (California), 
also  with  German}-  and  the  Hawaiian  Islands.  The  maritime  trade  is 
conducted  through  the  port  of  Manzanillo,  and  consists  chiefly  of 
exports  of  rice,  coffee,  rubber,  fruits,  cabinet  woods,  dye  woods,  corn, 
hides  and  skins,  minerals,  etc.,  the  imports  being  woolen,  linen,  and 
silk  goods,  alimentary  products,  glassware,  arms  and  ammunition, 
wines  and  liquors,  etc.  Overland  traffic  is  carried  on  by  rail  from 
Manzanillo  to  Colima  and  to  Villa  Alvarez;  in  other  instances,  by 
wagon  roads.  The  total  travel  of  the  State  is  estimated  at  a  value  of 
about  $2,000,000  per  annum. 

Communications. — The  railway  of  the  Compania  Constructora 
Nacional  Mexicana  (Mexican  National  Railway)  crosses  the  State  over 
the  tracks  of  the  International  Line  from  Colima  to  Manzanillo,  a  dis- 
tance of  95  kilometers.  A  branch  from  Colima  to  Guadalajara  is  in 
process  of  construction.  Another  railroad  runs  from  Colima  to  Villa 
Alvarez,  6,000  meters  in  length,  and  a  tramway  1,100  meters  long- 
connects  Colima  with  the  railroad  stations.     Telegraph  and  telephone 


94  MEXICO. 

service  are  excellent,  and  the  mail  service  is  very  efficient.  The 
"  Pacific  Mail."  the  "  Red  Line."  i  he  "  [zaguirre,"  and  the  Sinaloa  and 
Durango  Elailroad  ( lompany's  steamers  connect  the  port  of  Manzanillo 
with  foreign  and  domestic  ports,  while  good  wagOD  roads  run  from 
Colima  to  Mexico  (  it y  and  the  principal  towns  of  the  adjacent  States. 

Divisions.-  Colima  is  divided  into  3  partidos,  subdivided  into  7 
municipalities,  as  follows:  Partido  del  Centro,  Partido  de  Villa  Alva- 
rez, and  Partido  de  Medellin. 

The  Partido  del  Centro.  population  41,763,  embraces  the  municipali- 
ties of  Colima,  Coquimatlan,  and  Ixtlahuac&n.  The  principal  town  of 
the  municipality  of  Colima  bears  the  same  name,  and  is  the  capital  <>!' 
the  State.  According  to  the  last  census  the  population  of  the  capital 
was  20,698  inhabitants.  It  is  situated  in  a  beautiful  and  fertile  valley, 
r>i>4  meters  above  the  sea  level,  which  is  irrigated  by  the  Colima  River, 
and  is  one  of  the  handsomest  towns  on  the  Pacific  coast.  The  prin- 
cipal buildings  are  the  city  hall,  the  theater,  the  cathedral,  a  new 
market  house,  and  the  station  of  the  Mexican  National  Railroad.  It 
is  the  commercial  center  of  the  State,  being  distant  about  915  kilo- 
meters from  the  capital  of  the  Republic,  and  possesses  a  street-car 
line  and  an  electric-lighting  system. 

Coquimatlan  is  the  chief  town  of  the  municipality  of  the  same  name, 
distant  about  12  kilometers  from  Colima,  on  the  Mexican  National 
Railway. 

ixtlahuac&n  is  the  principal  town  of  the  municipality  of  that  name, 
and  is  about  142  kilometers  from  Colima. 

The  Partido  de  Villa  Alvarez  or  Almoloyan,  population  16,400, 
embraces  a  municipality  of  the  same  name  and  that  of  Comala.  Almo- 
loyan. or  Villa  Alvarez,  is  the  capital  of  the  former,  and  is  4-  kilometers 
from  Colima.  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a  railway  6  kilometers  in 
length.  The  chief  town  of  Comala  bears  the  same  name  as  the  munici- 
pality, and  is  12  kilometers  from  Colima  and  1<»  from  Villa  Alvarez. 

The  Partido  de  Medellin,  population  6,996,  comprises  the  munici- 
palities of  Manzanillo  and  Tecoman.  their  chief  towns  bearing  the  same 
names.  Tecoman  is  situated  45  kilometers  from  Colima,  on  the  Mex- 
ican National  Railroad.  Manzanillo  is  one  of  the  leading  towns  of  the 
State,  and  is  situated  861  kilometers  from  Mexico  City.  L22  kilometers 
from  Colima,  and  :-574  kilometers  from  Guadalajara.  It  has  a  large, 
sheltered  harbor,  the  town  being  built  on  the  isthmus  which  separates 
the  waters  of  the  port  from  those  of  Cuvutlan.  It  "is  connected  with 
thr  capital  by  the  Mexican  National  Railway,  a  distance  of  94.5  kilo- 
meters. Tin1  foreign  trade  of  the  port  is  estimated  at  about  $450,000, 
divided  equally  between  imports  and  exports.  Th<'  Pacific  Mail  Steam- 
ship Company  connects  it  with  San  Francisco  (California)  and  Panama 
(Colombia),  and  the  steamers  of  the  "  Red"  Line,  Izaguirre  &  Co..  and 
of  the  Sinaloa  and  Durango  Railroad  Company  transport  merchandise 


DUKANGO.  95 

between  Manzanillo  and  the  home  ports.     The  custom-house  of  the 
State  is  located  at  Manzanillo. 

DURANGO. 

The  State  of  Durango,  population  370,294,  with  a  capital  city  2,100 
meters  altitude,  bearing  the  same  name,  is  one  of  the  largest  and 
richest  States  in  the  Republic.  It  is  situated  north  of  the  torrid  zone, 
on  the  slopes  of  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains. 

Boundaries.- — Its  boundaries  are  Chihuahua  on  the  north,  Coahuila 
on  the  east  and  southeast,  Zacatecas  and  the  Territory  of  Tepic  on  the 
south,  and  Sinaloa  on  the  west.  The  area,  according  to  the  "Anuario 
Estadistico  de  la  Republics  Mexicana,"  1902,  covers  109,495  square 
kilometers. 

Climate. — The  climatic  conditions  of  the  State  vary  with  the  respec- 
tive altitudes  of  the  localities.  The  western  portions,  traversed  by  the 
Sierra  Madre  Mountains,  are  cold;  the  region  of  the  valleys  and  plains, 
extending  from  the  base  of  the  mountains,  is  temperate,  and  in  some 
places  rather  warm,  while  the  Nazas  basin  is  temperate;  the  pasture 
lands  are  exposed  to  great  variations,  being  extremely  cold  in  winter 
and  very  hot  in  summer.  Rainfall  is  moderate,  and  frosts  are  frequent 
in  the  mountains.  The  most  common  ailments  are  fevers  and  affec- 
tions of  the  respiratory  and  digestive  organs. 

Topography. — Owing  to  the  topographical  conditions,  the  products 
of  the  hot,  temperate,  and  cold  zones  can  be  cultivated.  The  western 
and  southern  portions  are  mountainous,  being  traversed  by  the  Sierra 
Madre  Mountains.  The  mean  altitude  varies  from  2,500  to  3,500 
meters,  the  highest  point  being  the  peak  of  Muinoxa.  The  crest  of 
the  Sierra  Madre  is  formed  by  the  convergence  of  several  high  moun- 
tain ranges  which  rise  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  the  principal 
being  Copolquina,  Topia,  Cavelas,  Amacuti,  Tominil,  Muinora,  Gua- 
naccoi,  and  San  Juan  de  Camarones.  These  mountains  are  all  rich  in 
minerals,  mainly  gold,  silver,  and  lead.  Other  mountains  are  the 
Mesquital,  Oso,  Inde,  Candela,  San  Francisco,  Cuencame,  and  Noas. 
The  principal  isolated  peaks  are  Cerro  del  Mercado,  an  inexhaustible 
iron  deposit  north  of  the  city  of  Durango;  Cerro  del  Fraile,  an  extinct 
volcano;  Pichihuantepec,  and  Panuco  de  Avino,  which  contains  an 
immense  silver  deposit.  The  Sierra  Madre  Mountains  are  rich  in 
minerals,  while  the  valleys  in  the  eastern  section  are  well  irrigated  and 
fertile. 

Hydrography. — The  most  important  river  is  the  Nazas,  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  State.  It  rises  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra 
Madre  and  empties  into  Habas  Lake,  after  a  course  of  600  kilometers. 
Its  principal  affluents  are  the  Santiago  and  San  Juan  rivers,  the  for- 
mer traversing  an  extent  of  215  kilometers  before  its  junction  with 
the  main  stream.     The  Tunal  River  rises  west  of  the  city  of  Durango, 


96  MEXICO. 

and  after  a  course  of  L50  kilometers  enters  the  Territory  of  Tepic. 
The  Suehil.  or  Nbmbre  »l<  Dios,  an  affluent  of  the  Tunal;  the  Rio 
Chico,  or  Alaponeta,  and  the  Aguanaval  are  the  other  most  important 
streams.  There  are  also  some  small  lakes,  the  principal  being  Colo- 
rado, ( iuatimape.  Ojode  Agua,  Sanceda.  Im.'e.  liiencaine.  and  A t « »t « > 
ailco.  Near  the  city  of  Durango  there  is  a  fine  mineral  spring, 
holding-  in  solution  a  large  quantity  of  iron. 

Fauna  <ni<I  flora. — • The  fauna  of  the  State,  although  rich  and 
varied,  is  not  well  known.  The  principal  species  embrace  about  4<> 
mammals,  7"  birds,  L3  reptiles.  7  batrachians,  and  a  large  number  of 
insects.  The  floral  varieties  are  equally  numerous,  embracing  nearly 
80  tree  Families,  50  fruits.  13  textiles,  li'  tanning  plants,  li'  oleaginous 
plants,  11  dye  plants,  10  forage  plants.  4  poisonous  and  L6  aromatic 
plants,  about  20  gums  and  resins,  30  medicinal  plants,  and  numberless 
ornamental  shrubs  and  flowers. 

Resources. — The  principal  industries  of  the  State  are  agriculture, 
mining,  stock  raising,  and  commerce.  The  most  important  agricultural 
region  is  included  in  the  partidos  of  Mapimi,  Durango,  San  Juan  del 
Rio,  and  Papasquiaro.  the  agricultural  product-  being  barley,  corn, 
wheat,  cotton,  tobacco,  fruit-,  leguminous  plant-,  and  sugar  cane. 
Mexican  official  statistics  for  1897  estimate  the  number  of  plantations 
or  farms  at  L96,  of  which  2  are  devoted  to  the  culture  of  sugarcane.  L57 
to  cereals.  7  to  maguey  (mescal),  %2  to  tobacco,  and  28  to  stock  raising. 
In  L902  the  production  of  corn  in  the  Stat<'  was  estimated  at  [.,584,226 
hectoliters,  valued  at  Sl.i'>04..~>4s:  wheat,  14,930,850  kilos,  valued  at 
11,176,220;  cotton,  4.880,5o:_'  kilos,  valued  at  $1,530,607;  ixtle.  to  the 
value  of  s7,n.737:  tobacco.  47.7so  kilos,  valued  at  $20,000;  grapes, 
235,105  kilos,  valued  at  $31,380.  The  grapes  of  Villa  Lerdo  and 
Cuencame  are  famous. 

The  leading  stock-raising  sections  are  the  partidos  of  Durango,  El 
Ojo,  Cuencaiiic.  Xazas.  lude.  and  Papasquiaro.  The  number  of  the 
-tock  i-  estimated,  approximately,  at  L,000,000  head. 

Mining. — The  mining  dist  nets  arc  the  part  idos  of  San  Dimas,  Tania- 
zula,  Papasquiaro,  San  Juan  del  Rio,  Durango.  and  Nombre  >\r  Dios; 
gold,  copper,  and  silver  being  the  leading  mineral-.  According  to 
Mexican  official  figures,  on  the  31st  of  December.  L902,  there  were 
2,469  mining  claims  registered  in  Durango.  covering  an  area  of  22,831 
hectares.  The  (Jerro  del  Mercado  is  an  inexhaustible  iron  deposit,  2 
kilometers  north  of  Durango.  which,  according  to  the  opinion  of 
expert-,  "could  supply  all  the  foundries  of  England  for  a  period  of 
330  years."  Sulphur,  rubies,  and  other  valuable  deposit-  are  also 
found.  The  total  mining  production  of  the  State  in  1902  is  officially 
estimated  at  349,214,262  kilo-,  valued  at  sio,724,<>12,  the  number  of 
mines  in  operation  being  107. 

Trade. — The  partidos  of  Durango  and  Mapimi  are  the  commercial 


DURANGO.  97 

centers  of  the  State.  An  active  trade  is  maintained  with  the  States  of 
Sinaloa,  Chihuahua,  Jalisco,  Zacatecas,  and  Coahuila;  also  with  the 
United  States  and  Mexico  Cit}\  The  principal  export  trade  consists 
in  mineral  ores  (mainly  gold,  silver,  and  iron),  cereals,  cotton,  woods, 
fruits,  live  stock,  hides  and  skins,  wools,  tallow,  etc.,  besides  cotton 
and  woolen  goods  to  the  States  of  Chihuahua  and  Zacatecas.  Its  prin- 
cipal imports  are  groceries,  hardware,  silk,  cotton,  wool,  and  linen 
goods,  machinery,  agricultural  implements,  mining  tools,  arms  and 
ammunition,  etc.,  the  whole  trade  of  the  State  being  estimated  at  about 
$10,000,000  per  annum.  The  principal  ports  of  entry  for  foreign 
goods  are  Mazatlan  and  the  customs  posts  of  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz  and 
Paso  del  Norte,  or  Ciudad  Juarez. 

Communications. — The  Mexican  International  and  the  Central  rail- 
roads traverse  the  State.  The  former  enters  through  the  partido  of 
Mapimi,  crosses  Cuencame  and  Durango,  and  terminates  at  the  State 
capital,  879  kilometers  from  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz  (Coahuila).  In  addi- 
tion to  the  main  line  the  road  lias  several  branches.  The  Central  Rail- 
road traverses  the  State  on  the  tracks  of  the  Mexico  and  Ciudad  Juarez 
line.  There  are  several  concessions  for  branch  lines.  The  cities  of 
Durango  and  Villa  Lerdo  are  equipped  with  street-car  systems,  and 
throughout  the  State  are  about  300  kilometers  of  telegraph  and  500 
kilometers  of  telephone  lines  and  an  efficient  mail  service.  There  are 
also  excellent  wagon  roads  leading  to  the  adjacent  States  and  to  the 
City  of  Mexico. 

Industries. — The  principal  manufacturing  industries  are  tanning,  the 
manufacture  of  Hour,  of  ixtle  carpets,  and  rope,  and  the  extraction  of 
fibers;  there  are  also  good  pottery  works,  soap  and  candle  factories, 
foundries,  distilleries,  and  several  cotton  mills  representing  a  value  of 
over  $500,000. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  13  partidos,  subdivided  into 
49  municipalities.     The  partidos  are  as  follows: 

Tamazula,  population  32,041;  its  principal  town,  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  situated  near  the  Sinaloa  boundary,  123  kilometers  from 
Durango.     This  partido  is  rich  in  minerals. 

Papasquiar©,  population  11,580;  its  chief  town,  Santiago  Papas- 
quiaro,  is  123  kilometers  from  Durango. 

Inde,  population  17,711,  chief  town,  Inde,  situated  316  kilometers 
from  Durango,  is  rich  in  gold,  silver,  and  copper  mines. 

Mapimi,  population  61,982;  its  chief  town,  Villa  Lerdo,  is  the  second 
city  in  the  State,  located  203  kilometers  from  Durango.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  advanced  sections  of  the  State,  its  agricultural  wealth  being- 
developed  by  the  most  modern  methods  and  representing  a  value  of 
about  $2,000,000  per  annum.  It  also  contains  valuable  deposits  of 
silver,  gold,  lead,  copper,  and  sulphur.  Villa  Lerdo  is  connected 
with  the  station  of  the  Central  Railroad  by  a  tramway  1  kilometers 
509a— 04 7 


98  MEXICO. 

iii  length,  and  has  very  fine  buildings,  including  strain  Hour  mills,  a 
foundry,  and  several  other  industrial  establishments.  Mapimi  is  the 
ii.  \t  town  of  importance,  situated  511  kilometers  from  Durango  and 

25  from  the  Central  Railroad  station.  This  town  contain-  six  foun- 
dries, a  cotton  and  knit-goods  mill,  and  other  industrial  establishments. 

Cuencame",  population  2S.»>7<>,  chief  town  of  the  same  name.  L68 
kilometers  from  Durango  and  12  from  the  Pasaje  station  of  the  Inter- 
national Railway,  is  an  agricultural,  stock-raising,  and  mining  district 

San  Juan  de  Guadalupe,  population  11,091;  its  chief  town,  bearing 
the  same  name,  is  situated  300  kilometers  from  Durango.  35  kilo- 
meter- from  San  [sidro,  and  30  from  the  Symon  station  of  the  Central 
Railroad. 

Nombre  de  Dios,  population  25,680,  the  chief  town  of  which,  bear- 
ing the  same  name,  is  situated  <;7  kilometers  from  Durango,  and  has 
in  its  vicinity  cotton  and  woolen  mills,  using  the  waters  of  the  Suchil 
River  as  motive  power. 

Mezquital,  population  9.247:  its  chief  town.  Mezquital,  is  !<><i  kilo- 
meters from  Durango. 

Durango.  population  72,531;  its  chief  town.  Durango,  2,10' I  met<  PS 
altitude,  population  31,092,  is  also  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  is  sit- 
uated 918  kilometers  from  Mexico  City,  262  from  Ma/athin.  688  from 
Zacatecas,  235  kilometers  by  rail  from  the  Torreon  station  of  the  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  and  870  from  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz.  The  city  contains 
a  chamber  of  commerce,  a  hank,  and  many  fine  buildings,  notably  the 
Cathedral,  which  is  considered  one  of  the  handsomest  in  the  Republic, 
the  Government  Palace,  the  City  Hall,  the  theater,  and  the  mint, 
which,  according  to  the  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  1901,  had  coined 
from  L896  to  1901  silver  to  t lie  amount  of  Kti.stil.125.47,  the  coinage  for 
L900-1901  amountingto $1,266,273.71.  Durango  has  over  LOkilometers 
of  city  and  suburban  railroads:  electric  lighting,  cotton  and  woolen 
mills,  foundries.  Hour  and  sugar-cane  mills.  It  also  contains  two  banks, 
one  a  branch  of  the  National  Bank  and  the  other  a  hank  of  issue. 
Agriculture  and  stock  raising  are  the  principal  industries  of  the  par- 
tido.  mining  receiving  very  little  attention,  [ts  trade  is  very  valuable. 
Several  stations  of  the  Intel-national  Railroad  are  within*  its  confines. 

San  Dimas,  population  6,806,  its  chief  town  hearing  the  same  name, 
situated  144  kilometers  from  Durango.  is  one  of  the  best-developed 
mining  legions  of  the  Sierra  Madre. 

El  <  >ro,  population  1<'>.47!»:  its  chief  town.  Real,  or  Santa  Maria  del 
Oro,  is  situated  311  kilometers  from  Durango.  and  is  largely  interested 
in  the  mining  of  gold,  that    metal  being  very  abundant  in  its  vicinity. 

Nazas,  population  13,793;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same  name,  is 
situated  167  kilometers  from  Durango. 

San  Juan  del  Rio,  population  29,683;  its  chief  town  is  San  Juan  del 
Rio,  104  kilometers  from  Durango. 


GUANAJUATO.  99 

GUANAJUATO. 

The  State  of  Guanajuato,  population  1,061,724,  with  a  capital  of  the 
same  name,  2,083  meters  above  the  sea,  is  one  of  the  most  favored 
regions  of  the  Republic,  as  it  contains  immense  natural  deposits  of 
gold  and  silver,  fertile  lands,  populous  cities,  and  fine  railroads, 
besides  being  possessed  of  a  valuable  commerce  and  equipped  with 
almost  all  the  latest  improvements  of  a  highly  civilized  country. 

Boundaries. — The  boundaries  are:  San  Luis  Potosi  on  the  north, 
Queretaro  on  the  east,  Michoacan  on  the  south,  and  Jalisco  on  the 
west.     Its  area  is  28,363  square  kilometers'. 

Topography. — The  topographical  aspect  is  varied,  owing  to  its  situ- 
ation on  the  cordillera  of  the  Anahuac,  the  northeast  and  central  sec- 
tions being  traversed  by  mountain  ranges,  while  to  the  west  and  south 
extend  the  rich  valleys  of  San  Felipe,  San  Judas,  and  Santiago,  and 
the  fertile  plain  of  El  Bajo.  The  principal  cordilleras  traversing  the 
State  are  the  Sierra  Gorda,  on  the  northeast,  and  the  Sierra  de  Guana- 
juato, in  the  center,  which  are  formed  by  the  junction  of  the  Codor- 
nices,  the  San  Antonio,  and  the  Santa  Rosa  ranges.  The  highest  peaks 
in  the  Guanajuato  Mountains  are  the  Gigante,  2,316  meters  in  height, 
and  the  Llanitos,  2,815  meters.  Smaller  ranges  extend  in  various 
directions,  inclosing  the  fertile  valleys  and  plains  of  the  State. 

Hydrography. — The  principal  rivers  are  the  Lerma,  the  Laja,  and 
the  Turbio,  the  last  two  being  affluents  of  the  former.  The  Lerma 
River  rises  in  the  State  of  Mexico,  traverses  the  State  of  Guanajuato 
for  a  distance  of  117  kilometers,  and  empties  into  the  Pacific  Ocean 
near  San  Bias,  in  the  Territory  of  Tepic.  The  Laja  rises  in  the  Sierra 
de  Guanajuato,  and,  after  receiving  the  waters  of  many  affluents  and 
traversing  a  course  of  126  kilometers,  empties  into  the  Lerma.  The 
Turbio,  or  Gomez,  waters  a  territory  113  kilometers  in  length  from 
its  rise  in  the  Sierra  de  Guanajuato  to  its  junction  with  the  Lerma. 
This  State  is  also  irrigated  by  the  Irapuato  Rirer  and  several  smaller 
streams.  The  only  lake  is  Yuririapiindaro  (lake  of  blood),  which  is 
97  square  kilometers  in  extent  and  contains  several  small  islands. 
Near  the  valley  of  Santiago  there  is  a  large  circular  well,  known  as  the 
Albercas,  which  is  believed  to  be  the  crater  of  an  extinct  volcano.  Its 
waters  are  not  potable  and  its  depth  has  never  been  ascertained.  Min- 
eral springs  are  abundant. 

<'l! unit,'. — The  climate  is  temperate  and  agreeable,  except  in  the 
higher  altitudes  of  the  mountain  ranges,  the  mean  temperature  being 
21°  C.  (about  70°  F.),  and  the  highest  28°  C.  (82.10°  F.)  during  the  hot 
months.  The  prevalent  diseases  are  malarial  fevers  and  typhus.  Dur- 
ing the  rainy  season  the  rainfall  is  heavy  in  the  plains  and  valle}^s  and 
moderate  in  the  mountains.  This  season  extends  from  the  middle  of 
May  until  the  beginning  of  July.  The  prevailing  winds  are  from  the 
northeast,  changing  to  southeast  at  the  approach  of  the  rainy  season. 


100  MEXICO. 

Fauna  and  flora.— The  fauna  <»l*  the  State  is  very  rich,  comprising, 
in  all,  510  species,  divided  as  follows:  41  mammals,  206  birds,  -U  rep- 
tiles, r>  batrachians,  7  fishes,  and  14s  insects.  The  flora  is  no  Less 
rich,  embracing  over  23  kinds  <>!'  wood.  44  fruit  tree-,  and  plants.  32 
textiles,  11  tanning  plants.  I 5  oleaginous  plants.  16  dyewoods,  about 
80  medicinal  plants.  L2  forage  plants,  Is  aromatic  plants.  15  gums  and 
resins,  and  numberless  ornamental  flowers  and  shrubs. 

Resources.  According  to  the  location  of  tin1  partidos,  the  leading 
industries  are  raining,  agriculture,  and  cattle  raising,  the  former  tak- 
ing firsl  iank  in  Guanajuato,  La  Luz,  Bietona,  and  San  Felipe,  and 
agricultural  and  -tod-;  raising  in  the  plains  and  valleys.  The  principal 
agricultural  products  are  cereals  and  leguminous  plants  of  all  kinds, 
fruits,  chili,  alfalfa,  and  canary  seed,  valued  at  about  $21,000,000  per 
annum,  besides  which  tobacco  and  zacaton  receive  considerable  atten- 
tion. According  to  Mexican  official  figures,  L897,  there  were  in  the 
State  394  plantation-  or  haciendas,  of  which  346  were  devoted  to  the 
culture  of  cereals.  The  principal  agricultural  product-  of  Guanajuato 
for  L902  are  officially  given  as  follows:  Corn,  to  the  value  of  $5,500,000 
in  round  figures;  wheat.  $2,500,000;  tobacco,  $18,000. 

The  total  value  of  the  stock-raising  industry.,  comprising  in  all  about 
1,000,000  head,  is  estimated  at  $10,000,000,  hogs,  sheep,  and  goats 
forming  the  principal  (dements.  The  annual  production  of  wool  is 
calculated  at  200,000  kilograms,  worth  $80,000. 

Mining. — The  State  of  Guanajuato  i-  one  of  the  richesl  mineral 
regions  in  the  world.  The  mining  region  follow -the  line  <<\'  the  angle 
formed  by  the  Sierra  Gorda  and  Sierra  de  Guanajuato,  there  being  in 
all  live  mining  districts,  as  follows:  Sierra  Gorda,  Allende,  Santa- 
cruz,  Guanajuato,  and  Leon.  According  to  the  "Geografia  y  Esta- 
distica,"  by  Velasco  (1890),  there  were  273  mines,  as  follows:  :;i  silver 
and  gold,  1^1  silver.  44  mercury,  or  cinnabar,  24  tin.  :>  iron,  1  lead. 
Hi  argentiferous  lead.  ::  copper.  L5  argentiferous  copper.  :.  magistral, 
or  sulphide  of  copper,  1  bismuth,  7  hematite.  1  sulphur,  and  1  plastic 
(day;  and  according  to  the  "Anuario  Estadistico"  there  were,  on  the 
31st  of  December,  L901,  625  claims  registered,  covering  an  area  of 
6,891  hectares,. 

In  1901,  '.'2  gold  and  silver  mines  in  the  State,  containing  2,051  hec- 
tares, employing  6,790  hand-,  produced  1.20,000,000  kilograms  of  ore. 
valued  at  $2,711,859,  and  in  L902  the  total  production  amounted  to 
147,680,000  kilograms,  valued  at  $3,162,000,  the  number  of  mines  in 
operation  being  i'>7. 

Trade.  Guanajuato  is  the  most  important  mercantile  center  of  the 
Republic,  both  the  Central  and  Mexican  National  railways  deriving 
from  local  traffic  greater  profits  than  in  any  other  State.  Its  total 
tiade  can  he  estimated  at  $67,000,000  per  annum,  divided  as  follow-: 
Exports  of  minerals  to  Mexico  City,  the  United  States,  and  Europe. 


GUANAJUATO.  101 

$21  >,00<  >,<  100;  exports  of  agricultural  and  other  products  to  home  States, 

$10,000, ;  exports  of  industrial  products.  $2,000,000;  imports  from 

Mexico  City,  United  States,  and  Europe,  $12,000,000;  imports  from 
other  Mexican  States,  $3,000,000,  the  balance  being  made  up  by  the 
local  trade.  The  principal  exports  are  mineral  and  agricultural  prod- 
ucts, live  stock  and  cotton  goods,  while  the  imports  from  Mexico  City 
and  the  United  States  and  Europe  are  groceries,  ready-made  clothing, 
textiles,  hardware,  drugs,  arms  and  ammunition,  hats,  canned  goods, 
agricultural  and  mining  machinery,  and  tools;  and  from  the  Mexican 
States,  mescal  tequila,  fruits,  pulque,  coffee,  etc. 

Communications. — The  Mexican  Central  Railroad  traverses  the  State 
in  three  directions:  First,  from  east  to  northwest  on  the  line  from 
Mexico  City  to  Ciudad  Juarez,  or  Paso  del  Norte  (152  kilometers); 
second,  from  the  center  to  the  southwest  on  the  branch  line  from 
Irapuato  to  Guadalajara  (84  kilometers);  and  third,  from  the  center  to 
the  northeast  on  the  branch  line  from  Silao  to  Guanajuato  (23  kilo- 
meters). The  Mexican  National  Railroad  runs  from  southeast  to  north 
on  the  line  from  Mexico  Cit\-  to  Nuevo  Laredo,  a  distance  of  271  kilo- 
meters, and  the  Salamanca  and  Valle  de  Santiago  Railroad  has  an 
extent  of  18  to  2<)  kilometers  in  the  municipality  of  Salamanca.  The 
street  railway's  in  the  cities  of  the  State  measure  about  11  kilometers. 
The  State  is  crossed  in  all  directions  by  good  wagon  roads,  and  there 
exists  an  extensive  network  of  telegraph  and  telephone  wires,  as  well 
as  an  efficient  postal  service. 

Industries. — Among  the  nourishing  industrial  establishments  are  350 
woolen  mills,  with  a  yearly  output  of  90,000  pieces  of  cloth;  45,000 
yards  of  carpet  and  other  fabrics;  853  cotton  mills  producing  an  aver- 
age of  2(>0,500  pieces  of  cotton  (manta),  46,600  pieces  comboyos. 
550,000  rebozos,  and  100,000  kilograms  of  twine,  the  consumption  of 
these  factories  being  about  815,000  kilograms  of  wool  and  1,000,000 
kilograms  of  cotton  annually.  There  are  besides  72  Hour  mills  (steam 
and  hydraulic  power),  yielding  about  15,000,000  kilograms  of  flour  per 
annum,  linseed  mills,  saddleries,  potteries,  powder  works,  distilleries, 
tanneries,  and  foundries. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  5  departments,  subdivided  into 
32  partidos.     The  departments  are: 

Allende.  population  46,933  (1  partidos);  its  principal  cities  are  San 
Miguel  Allende  and  Dolores  Hidalgo,  situated  71  and  (j6  kilometers, 
respectively,  from  Guanajuato. 

Celava.  population  46,408  (11  partidos);  its  principal  city,  bearing 
the  same  name,  is  situated  at  the  intersection  of  the  Mexican  National 
and  Mexican  Central  railways.  It  has  a  line  of  street  cars  3  kilo- 
meters in  length  extending  to  the  railway  station.  Other  towns  are: 
Acambaro,  on  the  Mexican  National  Railway:  Aspaseo,  and  Salva- 
tierra. 


102  MEXICO. 

Guanajuato,  population  387,718  (9  partidos);  its  principal  city, 
2,083  meters  above  the  sea.  bears  the  same  name,  it  being  also  the 
capital  <>t'  the  State  ami  containing  39,404  inhabitants.  The  city  of 
Guanajuato  is  situated  406  kilometers  by  rail  from  Mexico  City,  344 
from  San  Luis  Potosi,  L60  from  Quer6taro,  and  212  kilometers  from 
Guadalajara.  It  is  located  in  a  narrow  valley  on  the  river  Guana- 
juato. The  principal  buildings  are  the  State  government  palace,  the 
Palace  of  Congress,  the  mint,  the  State  college,  several  churches,  two 
theaters,  hospitals,  a  hull  ring,  the  market  de  la  Reforma,  the  Pan- 
theon, and  the  Castle  of  Granaditas,  where  the  heads  of  Hidalgo, 
Allende,  Aldama,  Jimenez,  and  other  patriots  were  hung  on  iron 
hooks  during  the  war  of  independence. 

The  mineral  wealth  of  Guanajuato  has  always  commanded  the  atten- 
tion of  the  world.  From  L812  to  L896  the  combined  value  of  gold. 
silver,  and  copper  coined  by  the  Guanajuato  mint  amounted  to 
$309,077,468.25  Mexican  silver,  the  gold  coinage  being  estimated  at 
$21,178,328;  silver.  $287,884,476.25,  and  copper,  $14,664.  The  figures 
from  1896-1901  are,  silver,  $13,957,746;  gold, $599,914.88;  and  from 
1901-1902  are,  .silver.  $11,868,924,  and  gold.  $488,024.  This  city  is 
the  commercial  center  of  the  State,  and  one  of  the  most  important  in 
the  Republic.  It  has  a  branch  road  connection  with  the  Central  Rail- 
road, also  10  kilometer-  of  street  railways,  electric  lighting,  and  all 
modern  improvements.  Other  leading  towns  are  Cuitzeo  de  Ahasolo, 
Irapuato  (an  important  market  on  the  Central  Railroad).  La  Pa/.  Sala- 
manca. Silao.  and  Yalle  de  Santiago,  situated  in  a  fertile  valley  bear- 
ing the  same  name. 

Leon,  population  L93,932  (4  partidos);  its  two  leading  towns  are 
Leon  de  los  Aldamas  and  San  Francisco  del  Kinc6n,  the  former  r>t;  kilo- 
meters from  Guanajuato, and  one  of  the  principal  manufacturing  cen- 
ters of  the  Republic,  and  the  latter  situated  on  the  Central  Railroad. 

Sierra  Gorda,  population  93,456  (3 partidos);  its  principal  cities  are 
San  Luis  de  la  Paz,  98  kilometers  from  Guanajuato,  San  dose  de  Itur- 
bide,  Xichii,  Santa  Catarina,  and  Victoria. 

GUERRERO. 

The  State  of  Guerrero,  population  ITu.l'o;,.  its  capital  Chilpancingo, 
1,193  meters  altitude,  population  7.41*7.  i-  one  of  the  maritime  States 
of  the  Republic.  It  has  a  promising  future,  but  bo  far  has  been  but 
little  explored  and  has  a  small  population,  lacks  communication  facili- 
ties, and  its  territory  is  mountainous  and  rough. 

Boundaru  s.  —  The  boundaries  are  the  States  of  Mexico  and  Morelos 
on  the  north;  Puebla  on  the  northeast;  Oaxaca  on  the  east  and  south- 
east, and  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  southwest.  The  area  is  given  as 
61,756  square  kilometers. 

Situation.— The  Pacific  coast  line  of  the  State  is  500  kilometers  in 


GUERRERO.  103 

extent,  the  shores  being-  low,  sandy,  well  sheltered,  and  possessing 
excellent  ports  and  harbors.  Acapulco,  the  principal  port  of  the  State, 
is  classed  among  the  finest  harbors  of  the  world,  by  reason  of  its 
beautiful,  well-sheltered  bay,  measuring  6,285  meters  in  length  by 
3,141  in  breadth,  and  having  a  depth  of  81  meters.  Other  Pacific 
ports  in  the  State  are  Petlacala,  Sihuatanejo,  and  Papanoa. 

Topography. — Guerrero  is  mountainous  throughout  almost  its  entire 
extent,  being  traversed  by  the  Sierra  Madre  del  Sur,  which  reaches  its 
greatest  altitude  at  2,800  meters.  The  valleys  between  the  Cordilleras 
are  narrow,  and  the  highest  peaks  are  Tlacotepec  and  Tiotepec,  2,800 
meters  high,  and  Escalera,  2,521  meters  in  height. 

Hydrography. — The  rivers  of  the  State,  on  account  of  the  broken 
surface  of  the  territory,  have  very  rapid  currents.  The  principal  is 
the  Mexcala  or  Balsas,  also  known  as  the  Ato}Tac  or  Poblano.  Its 
headwaters  are  in  the  Tlaxco  Mountains  of  the  State  of  Tlaxcala, 
whence  it  enters  Guerrero  on  the  east,  dividing  the  State  into  two  sec- 
tions, the  southern  occupied  by  the  Sierra  Madre  range  and  the  north- 
ern by  the  slopes  of  the  mountain  chains  from  the  States  of  Mexico 
and  Morelos.  The  river  is  087  kilometers  in  length,  but  is  navigable 
for  small  craft  onl}T.  All  the  waters  of  the  State  are  tributary  to  it. 
The  principal  lakes  are  Pazahualco,  Chantengo,  Nexpa,  and  San 
Marcos. 

Climate. — Climatic  conditions  vary  according  to  the  altitude  of  the 
districts,  the  cold  belt  beginning  beyond  2,000  meters,  the  temperate 
lying  between  1,000  and  2,000  meters,  and  the  hot  lands  situated  below 
the  1,000  meters.  On  the  coasts  the  heat  is  excessive,  from  35°  to  36° 
C.  (95°  to  96°. 80  F.),  and  the  rain  falls  in  torrents,  precipitation  being- 
moderate  in  the  temperate  lands  only.  Frosts  are  frequent  in  the 
high  altitudes  of  the  Sierras.  Fevers,  leprosy,  and  affections  of  the 
respiratory  and  digestive  organs  are  the  prevailing  diseases. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  of  the  State,  though  rich  and  varied, 
is  not  well  known.  It  embraces  over  55  species  of  mammals,  over  80 
birds,  50  reptiles,  5  batrachians,  10  fishes,  and  numberless  insects.  The 
flora  is  worthy  of  note,  comprising  over  150  trees,  75  fruits,  33  textile 
plants,  17  tanning  plants,  15  oleaginous,  25  d}re,  10  forage,  and  an 
equal  number  of  poisonous  plants,  20  aromatic  plants,  about  10  gums 
and  resins,  200  medicinal  plants,  and  countless  ornamental  shrubs  and 
flowers. 

Resources. — The  development  of  the  immense  agricultural  wealth 
of  the  State  only  awaits  the  establishment  of  railroad  facilities,  immi- 
gration, and  better  wagon  roads,  when  the  cultivation  of  cotton, 
coffee,  tobacco,  rubber,  vanilla,  etc.,  may  be  advantageously  under- 
taken on  a  large  scale.  The  agricultural  production  of  the  State  is 
about  $2,200,000  per  annum,  the  leading  articles  being  sesame  seed, 
cereals,  leguminous  plants,  fruits,  tobacco,  vanilla,  coffee,  cacao,  and 


104  MEXICO. 

textile  fibers.  Iii  L887  the  number  of  plantations  estimated  as  under 
cultivation  was  144,  as  follows:  Cotton.  L5;  coffee,  1:  sugarcane,  72; 
cereals,  25,  and  :'.!  cattle  ranches.  Official  figures  for  L902  give  the 
agricultural  production  of  the  State  as  follows:  Corn,  $1,017,966; 
sugar-cane  products,  3,355,234  kilos,  at  $391,470;  textile  fibers, 
132,000;  coffee,  $25,000;  tobacco,  $25,200.  The  value  of  Btock  ma\ 
be  estimated  at  aboul  $3,000,000,  and  dairy  industry  is  under  process 
of  development. 

Mining. — Within  the  limits  of  the  State  lie  one  of  the  richest  mining 
regions  of  the  country,  although  as  yet  complete  development  has  not 
been  attained.  ( rold,  silver,  mercury,  lead,  iron,  coal,  sulphur,  granite, 
and  marble  are  among  the  principal  mineral  products;  also  very  fine 
opals  of  three  varieties.  topazes,  diamonds,  and.  according  to  report, 
salt.  The  exploitation  of  these  products  has  been  greatly  hampered 
by  lack  of  communication  facilities,  Less  than  two-thirds  of  the  total 
number  of  mines  being  in  operation.  During  the  year  l'.tirj  the  min- 
ing production  of  the  State  is  reported  by  the  "Anuario  Estadistico" 
at  $231,000,  the  number  of  mines  in  operation  being  310. 

Trade. — The  commerce  of  Guerrero  is  of  little  importance,  due  to 
the  lack  of  railways  and  to  the  paucity  of  the  population,  which  cir- 
cumstances may  be  accounted  for  on  the  one  hand  by  the  topography 
of  the  country  and  by  the  unhealthy  climate  on  the  other.  Exports 
consist  of  minerals,  live  stock,  cotton,  fruits,  and  woods,  sent  to  Mexico 
City,  and  of  hides  and  skins,  cotton,  rice,  tortoise  shell,  pearl  conches, 
and  fruits  sent  abroad;  while  the  imports  include  all  kinds  of  manufac- 
tured products,  mainly  food  products,  hardware,  dry  goods,  machinery. 
agricultural  implements,  etc.     There  is  a  maritime  custom-house  at 

Acapulco,  its  trade  being  approximately  estimated  at  s; ,000,  equally 

divided  between  imports  and  exports.  The  total  trade  of  the  State  is 
lixed  at  about  $5,000,000  in  round  numbers. 

Communications. — There  are  practically  no  railroads,  as  the  Inter- 
oceanic  Railway,  which  is  destined  to  connect  the  port  of  Acapulco  on 
the  Pacific  with  Veracruz  on  the  Gulf ,  and  with  the  national  capital,  is 
not  yet  completed,  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  Mexico,  Cuernavaca  and 
Pacific,  and  of  the  Michoacan  and  Pacific  lines,  which  are  to  traverse  cer- 
tain portions  of  the  State.  There  are.  however,  extensive  telegraph 
and  telephone  lines,  as  well  as  an  efficient  mail  service  and  some  wagon 
road>.  especial  mention  being  made  of  a  road  connecting  Mexico  City 
ami  Acapulco.  The  port  of  Acapulco  connects  with  foreign  countries 
by  means  of  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company  and  the  "<  lompania 
Mexicans  de  Vapores  del  Pacifico  y  Golfo  de  California."  During 
1902,  the  number  of  vessels  entering  the  port  of  Acapulco  was  213, 
of  which  167  were  steamers,  while  those  sailing  from  the  port  were  212, 
there  beino- 107  steamers. 


GUERRERO.  105 

Industries. — The  value  of  the  manufacturing  industry  of  the  State, 
estimated  at  about  13,000,000  annually,  is  confined  to  the  manufacture 
of  sugar-cane  products,  mescal  wine,  palm  oil,  cotton  spinning-,  tanning, 
and  the  development  of  apieultural  products. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  fourteen  districts,  subdivided 
into  fourteen  municipalities.     The  districts  are: 

Aldama,  population  54,717,  with  its  chief  town  bearing  the  name 
of  La  Union,  situated  566  kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 

Mina,  population  50,926,  an  important  mining  section;  its  principal 
town,  Coyuca  de  Catalan,  is  293  kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 

A-larcon,  population  34,164,  rich  in  minerals  and  remarkable  for  the 
cave  of  Cacahuanilpa,  said  to  be  more  beautiful  than  the  Mammoth 
Cave  in  the  United  States.  The  chief  town  is  Taxco  de  Alarcon,  147 
kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 

Hidalgo,  population  31,730;  its  chief  town,  Iguala  de  Iturbide,  is 
135  kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 

Alvarez,  population  43,498;  chief  town,  Chilapa  de  Alvarez,  46  kilo- 
meters from  Chilpancingo. 

Zaragoza,  population  20,604;  chief  town,  Huamuxtithin,  222  kilo- 
meters from  Chilpancingo,  situated  in  a  very  fertile  region. 

Morelos,  population  43,540;  chief  town,  Tlapa  or  Ciudad  Comon- 
fort,  168  kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 

Abasolo,  population  25.471;  chief  town,  Ometepec,  190  kilometers 
from  Chilpancingo. 

Allende,  population  28,282;  chief  town,  Ayutla  de  los  Libres,  151 
kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 

Tabares,  population  43,136;  its  chief  town,  Acapulco  de  Juarez, 
population  4,932,  is  an  important  seaport,  188  kilometers  from  Chil- 
pancingo and  495  kilometers  from  Mexico  City.  The  bay  of  Acapulco 
is  the  most  sheltered  of  the  Mexican  ports,  and  is  capable  of  accom- 
modating 100  vessels  of  deep  and  200  of  lighter  draft.  The  steamers  of 
the  Pacific  Mail  and  of  the  Mexican  International  Company  touch  at 
Acapulco,  where  there  is  a  custom-house  and  a  beacon  light.  The 
exports  through  Acapulco  in  1901-2,  as  given  by  the  "  Boletin  de  Esta- 
distica  Fiscal"  for  that  period,  amount  to  about  $200,000,  while  the 
exports  are  valued  at  $201,000. 

Galeana,  population  21,297;  its  principal  town,  Tecpan  de  Galeana, 
located  327  kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 

Chilpancingo,  or  Bravos,  population  33,088;  its  principal  town, 
Chilpancingo  de  los  Bravos,  or  Ciudad  Bravos,  population  7,497,  the 
capital  of  the  State,  is  a  small  but  important  city,  319  kilometers  from 
Mexico  City  and  178  from  the  port  of  Acapulco.  There  are  some  fine 
buildings  in  the  town,  which  is  lighted  by  electricity. 

Guerrero,  population  28,128;  its  principal  town  is  Tuxtla  de  Guer- 
rero, 13  kilometers  from  Chilpancingo. 


106  MEXICO. 

HIDALGO; 

The  State  of  Hidalgo  has  a  population  of  605,051.  It-  capital  is  the 
city  of  Pachuca,  2,447  meters  altitude,  population  37,487. 

Boundaries. — The  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Stab 
San  Luis  Potosi  and  Veracruz,  on  the  east  by  Puebla,  on  the  south 
by  Mexico  and  Tlaxcala,  and  on  the  west  by  Quer£taro,   its  area 
measuring  22,215  square  kilometers. 

Topography. — The  northern  portion  of  the  State  is  mountainous  as 
compared  with  the  southern,  the  orographic  system  being  a  continua- 
tion of  the  Sierra  Madre,  which  receives  different  names  in  the  various 
districts  traversed,  the  principal  ranges  being  Tulancingo,  Zimap&n, 
Jacala,  Zacuatilpam,  Hueyutla,  and  Pachuca.  The  highest  peak-  arc 
Tapetillan.  Creston,  Cerro  Alto,  Cresta  de  Gallo,  Organos,  and  Cerro 
(U'  Navajas,  the  latter  being  3,212  meters  in  height.  There  arc  several 
curious  caves  in  the  State.  The  southern  and  western  portion-  are 
generally  flat,  the  principal  plains  being  the  Apan,  Mexquital,  Tula, 
and  the  valleys  of  Tulancingo  and  Agua  /area,  and  the  Llanura  Grande. 

Hydrography. — There  are  no  large  rivers,  the  principal  streams 
being  the  Tula  and  its  tributaries,  the  Amajague  and  its  affluents,  and 
the  Metztitlan  or  Rio  Grande  and  it-  branches.  There  are  other  rivers 
of  lesser  importance  and  several  waterfalls,  among  them  being  the 
Regla  cascade,  whose  water-  are  used  by  the  Electric  Power  Company 
to  supply  motive  power  for  several  reduction  works.  The  largest  lake 
is  the  Metztitlan,  which  is  17  kilometers  in  length.  Mineral  springs 
abound. 

Cli?nate. — The  climate  is  generally  mild  rather  than  cold  on  the 
uplands  and  plateaus,  and  hot  or  temperate  according  to  the  varying 
altitudes  of  the  lower  districts. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  flora  are  rich  and  varied,  resem- 
bling in  general  characteristics  those  of  the  other  States  of  the 
Republic. 

Resources. — The  agricultural  products  consist  in  the  main  of  cereals, 
coffee,  sugar  cane,  cotton,  tobacco,  maguey,  and  leguminous  vegeta- 
bles. Mexican  official  statistics  for  L897  give  the  State  208  plantations. 
divided  as  follows:  Maguey  pulque,  L29;  cereals,  52;  sugar  cane.  8; 
tobacco,  1;  and  18  cattle  ranches.  The  production  of  the  State  for 
1902  is  estimated  thus:  Cereals,  to  the  value  of  $2,750,000;  sugar- 
cane products,  5,478,129  kilograms,  valued  at  $460.00":  rum.  17,1"" 
hectoliters,  valued  at  $197,300;  and  maguey  products  to  a  value  of 
$25,000,  pulque  alone  amounting  to  77''-.^'..~>  hectoliter-,  valued  at 
$1,096,586. 

Maiing. — Mining  is  the  most  important  industry,  as  almost  every 
district  is  a  mining  center,  the  principal  being  Pachuca  and  Zimapan, 
the  former  containing  the  regions  of  Real  del  Monte,  Atotonilco  el 


HIDALGO.  107 

Chico,  Santa  Rosa,  Capula,  Tepenene,  and  Potosi,  and  the  latter,  Car- 
donal,  Bonanza,  Pechuga,  Jacala,  La  Encarnacion,  San  Jose  del  Oro, 
and  Verdosas.  The  chief  metals  found  are  gold,  in  small  quantities; 
silver,  mercury,  copper,  iron,  lead,  zinc,  antimony,  manganese,  cinna- 
bar, and  plumbago.  Other  mineral  substances  are  coal,  marble, 
granite,  opals,  garnets,  etc.  There  are  in  operation  36  reduction 
works  for  the  treatment  of  the  finer  metals  and  6  devoted  to  the 
smelting  of  iron  ore.  Mexican  official  statistics  for  1902  credit  the 
State  with  a  production  of  138,223,000  kilos  metal  of  all  kinds,  valued 
at  about  $5,100,000,  the  number  of  mines  in  operation  during  the 
year  being  109. 

Communications. — The  railroad  lines  traversing  the  State  are  the 
"Hidalgo  y  del  Nordeste,'''  connecting  Pachuca  with  Mexico  Cit}T  (109 
kilometers);  the  Mexican  Central  and  the  Mexican  International, 
covering,  in  all,  an  extent  of  371  kilometers.  There  is  a  street-car 
line  8  kilometers  in  length,  in  Pachuca,  besides  several  private  rail- 
ways, constructed  in  connection  with  the  working  of  the  mines.  The 
total  length  of  telegraph  wires  is  estimated  at  918  kilometers,  with 
32  stations.  There  are  also  numerous  telephone  lines  and  an  efficient 
mail  service. 

The  principal  industries  are  the  reduction  of  ores,  the  manufacture 
of  cotton  and  woolen  goods,  and  of  pulque,  bricks  and  tiles,  matches,  etc. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  15  districts,  subdivided  into 
municipalities.     The  districts  and  their  chief  towns  are  the  following: 

Atotonilco  el  Grande,  population  26,619;  chief  town  of  the  same 
name,  32  kilometers  from  Pachuca,  the  capital  of  the  State. 

Actopam,  population  17,797;  chief  town  Actopam.  30  kilometers 
from  Pachuca. 

Apan,  population  19,002;  chief  town  Apan,  72  kilometers  from 
Pachuca. 

Huichapam,  population  31,566;  chief  town  of  the  same  name,  140 
kilometers  from  Pachuca. 

Huejutla,  population  76,811;  chief  town  Huejutla,  192  kilometers 
from  Pachuca. 

Ixmiquilpam,  population  16,978,  chief  town  of  the  same  name,  88 
kilometers  from  Pachuca. 

Jacala  de  Ledesma,  population  30,299,  chief  town  of  the  same  name, 
180  kilometers  from  Pachuca. 

Metztitlan,  population  26,116,  chief  town  Metztitlan,  76  kilometers 
from  Pachuca. 

Molango,  population  37,019,  chief  town  of  the  same  name,  116  kilo- 
meters from  Pachuca. 

Pachuca,  population  99,608;  its  chief  town,  Pachuca,  population 
37,487,  is  also  capital  of  the  State.  It  is  the  principal  cit}^  of  Hidalgo, 
on  account  of  its  commerce,  population,  and  mining  industry.     It  is 


108  HEXIOO. 

connected  with  Mexico  City   by  the  Hidalgo,    Mexican,  and  Central 

railways.     The  city  contains  several  fine  buildings,  ai g  othersthe 

Palace  of  .Justice,  the  Scientific  and  Literary  Institute,  a  Meteorolog- 
ical ( )l>>ei\  atory,  the  School  of  Mining,  and  a  public  library.  In  the 
district  of  Pachuca  are  round  the  principal  mining  sections  <>f  the 
State. 

The  other  district^  are  Tula,  population  39,572;  Tulacingo,  popula- 
tion 48,095;  Tenango  de  Doria,population  25,205;  Zacuatilpam,  popu- 
lation 21,259;  Zimapan,  population  28,805,  their  chief  towns  bearing 
the  names  of  the  disl  ricts. 

JALIS4  < ». 

The  State  of  Jalisco,  population,  L,153,891;  capital  city,  Guadala- 
jara, L,566  meters  above  the  sea,  population  L01,208  inhabitants,  is 
one  of  the  richest  mining  and  agricultural  sections  of  the  Republic. 
The  State  covers  an  area  of  86,752  square  kilometers  and  has  a  coast 
line  of  500  kilometers. 

Boundaries. — One  State,  which  is  irregular  in  shape,  is  hounded  on 
the  north,  east,  and  south  by  the  States  of  Durango,  Zacatecas,  Aguas 
Calientes,  San  Luis  Potosi,  Guanajuato,  Quere'taro,  Michoacan,  Colima, 
and  the  Territory  of  Tepic,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

Climate.  — Jalisco  possesses  a  great  variety  of  climates.  A  large 
portion  of  the  State  is  traversed  by  the  Sierra  Madre  range,  which 
gradually  slopes  to  the  Pacific,  giving  rise  to  nearly  every  climatic 
condition  known  to  the  temperate  and  torrid  zones.  The  high  table- 
lands of  the  eastern  portion  are  cold.  In  this  region  cereals,  as  well  as 
many  other  products  of   the   temperate  zone,  can   be  produced.      The 

valleys  between  the  mountains  are  well  watered  and  exceedingly  fertile. 
In  these  favored  places  flourish,  according  to  the  elevation,  sugar  cane, 
cotton,  vanilla,  tobacco,  oranges,  coffee,  etc.  Sugar  cane  grows  very 
rapidly  in  this  State,  and  once  planted  it  does  not  have  to  be  renewed 
for  eight  or  ten  years,  which  is  a  great  advantage  over  Morelos  and 
other  States,  where  cane  only  grows  by  means  of  artificial  irrigation 
and  must   he  replanted  every  two  years. 

Topography. — The  eastern  portion  of  the  State  is  traversed  by  the 
Sierra  Madre  range,  in  which  occur  a  number  of  imposing  mountain 
peaks.  The  most  noted  of  these  are  the  Tapalpa,  Tigre.  Nevado,  and 
Colima.  The  latter  is  an  active  volcano,  the  elevation  of  which  is  \.:\~^ 
meters  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  northern  and  northeastern 
portions  of  the  State  are  very  mountainous  and  form  a  veritable  net- 
work of  spurs  and  isolated  peaks  from  the  Sierra  Madre  range. 
Between  these  are  found  picturesque  and  fertile  valleys  of  varying 
elevations  and  extent.  The  State  in  its  entirety  possesses  a  vast 
territory,  watered  by  numerous  lakes  and  rivers. 

Hydrography. — The  largest  and  most  important  stream  is  the  San- 
tiago, or  Lerma,  River.     This    river   rises   in    Lake   Chapala    in   the 


JALISCO.  109 

extreme  southeastern  portion  of  the  State,  and  flows  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  through  Jalisco  and  the  Territory  of  Tepic,  emptying  into 
the  Pacific  Ocean  at  a  point  north  of  the  port  of  San  Bias.  It  is  about 
750  kilometers  long,  and  drains  a  territory  containing-,  it  is  estimated, 
25,<)<)<)  square  kilometers.  In  its  course  toward  the  sea  this  stream 
forms  beautiful  cascades  near  the  village  of  Juanacatlan  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  city  of  Guadalajara.  These  arc  of  such  a  grand  and  imposing 
character  that  they  have  been  appropriately  called  the  Niagara  of 
Mexico.  Their  height  is  about  20  meters.  The  river  at  this  point  is 
160  meters  wide.  The  force  generated  by  these  celebrated  falls  is 
enormous,  and  a  large  electric  plant  has  been  erected  there.  This 
plant  supplies  electric  power  to  the  city  of  Guadalajara,  the  capital  of 
the  State,  7  kilometers  distant.  This  water  power  is  also  utilized  by 
a  large  number  of  factories  in  Guadalajara  and  vicinity  in  the  opera- 
tion of  their  plants,  and  is  fast  making  that  city  one  of  the  great 
manufacturing  centers  of  the  Republic. 

Other  important  rivers  of  the  State  are  the  Acaponeta  and  San 
Pedro,  both  of  which  flow  into  Lake  Mexcaltitlan.  The  Armenia  and 
Ameca  rivers  are  also  streams  of  considerable  size  and  importance. 
One  of  the  most  beautiful  lakes  of  the  State,  and  the  largest  in  the 
Republic,  is  Lake  Chapala,  the  surface  area  of  which  is  234  square 
kilometers.  The  waters  of  this  lake  contain  a  great  abundance  of 
edible  fish.  German  carp  abound,  the  Mexican  Government  having 
stocked  the  lake  some  years  ago  with  this  variety  of  fish.  Lake 
Chapala  is  also  quite  a  summer  resort.  Comfortable  hotels  have  been 
built  upon  its  shores,  and  hundreds  of  people  from  Guadalajara  and 
surrounding  country  spend  the  summers  there. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  .flora  of  this  State  is  as  rich  and 
varied  as  that  of  any  other  Mexican  territory. 

Resources. — The  peculiar  topographical  conditions  of  the  State,  with 
its  variety  of  climates,  make  of  this  region  one  of  the  richest  agri- 
cultural sections  of  the  country. 

Agriculture. — Sugar  is  one  of  the  leading  products,  and  the  cultiva- 
tion of  cotton  could  be  greatly  increased,  the  native  product  at  pres- 
ent not  being  sufficient  to  supply  the  needs  of  the  cotton  industry, 
which  has  developed  to  such  an  extent  in  Mexico  that  nearly  70  per 
cent  of  the  raw  material  consumed  has  to  be  brought  from  the  United 
States.  Cotton  planters  would,  therefore,  be  sure  to  find  in  the  Repub- 
lic an  excellent  home  market  for  their  product.  The  lowlands  on  the 
coast  are  hot,  and  on  them  thrive  a  great  variety  of  tropical  and  sub- 
tropical products,  while  the  climate,  invigorated  by  tic.'  sea  bre  ze,  is 
not  as  enervating  as  that  of  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico.  Cedar,  pine, 
oak,  and  other  valuable  trees  are  found  in  the  mountains,  and  cabinet 
woods  also  abound.  If  the  projected  railroad  from  Aguas  Calientes 
to  Chamela,  a  small  port  on  the  Pacific,  is  built  the  forest  lands  will 


110  MEXICO. 

greatly  enhance  in  value.  At  present,  owing  to  the  lack  of  easy  means 
of  transportation,  the  exploitation  Is  difficult  and  timbered  Lands  in 
some  parts  of  the  State  can  now  be  bought  for  (2  Mexican  silver  per 
hectare. 

The  principal  agricultural  production  of  the  country  according  to 
the  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  L902,  was,  during  that  year,  cereals 
$10,300,000  in  round  numbers,  corn  being  the  largest  item,  being 
represented  by  $!>,ss5.o<iO;  sugar-cane  products,  5,498,000  kilos, 
valued  at  1465,180;  alcohol  to  the  value  of  $500,000:  pulque,  $1,096,- 
586;  other  maguey  products,  §70,000;  coffee,  $80,000,  and  tobacco, 
$62,000. 

Mining.  Jalisco  contains  a  great  variety  of  minerals.  Within  its 
boundaries  are  to  be  found  at  the  present  time  numerous  silver,  gold, 
copper,  iron.  lead,  and  cinnabar  mines.  The  silver  mine-  of  San  Pedro 
Analco  and  of  Atemajac  are  the  most  important.  The  concessionaires 
have  recently  been  negotiating  the  sale  of  this  latter  mine  for  $800,000 
gold.  A  United  States  company  is  developing  the  gold  mines  near 
Tequila,  which  yield  from  one  to  four  ounces  per  ton.  The  ( lalabra  and 
Santo  Domingo  mines, near Ezatlan, have  produced  large  quantities  of 
silver  ore  containing  a  certain  percentage  of  gold.  These  mines  are 
still  under  development.  The  total  mineral  production  of  the  Slate 
in  1897  was  $2,252,*999  Mexican  silver.  A  large  quantity  of  ore  is 
shipped  annually  to  the  smelters  at  Aguas  Calientes,  San  Luis  Potosi, 
Monterey,  and  Ciudad  Juarez,  to  be  reduced  there.  There  are  a 
number  of  small  smelters  in  the  State,  and  considerable  quantities  of 
ore  are  treated  in  these,  and  by  the  patio  process.  Rich  copper 
deposits  have  been  discovered  in  various  part- of  the  State,  and  within 
the  last  few  years  many  claims  have  been  denounced  and  new  mines 
opened.  The  field  i-  practically  a  virgin  <>ne.  and  offers  rich  rewards 
to  the  miner  and  capitalist.  The  number  of  mining  claims  regis- 
tered up  to  December  31,  L902,  was  719,  covering  an  area  of  t,880 
hectares,  while  the  total  mineral  production  of  the  State  is  estimated 
at  about  80,000,000  kilos,  valued  at  over  $1,000,000;  the  number  of 
mines  in  operation  being  87,  according  to  the  "Anuario  Estadistico," 
for  L902.  The  Federal  assay  office  in  Guadalajara  treated  during  the 
same  period  gold  to  the  value  of  *111.<>M  and  silver  $4,586,134  for 
coinage,  and  about  sso. i  gold  and  $1,000,000  silver  for  export 

Trade. — In  the  district  of  Tequila,  wesl  of  Guadalajara,  one  of  the 
principal  products  cultivated  is  the  maguey,  a  plant  belonging  to  the 
agave  family  and  from  the  sap  of  which  a  Liquor  resembling  gin  is 
obtained  by  distillation.  This  beverage,  called  "tequila,"  has  an 
enormous  consumption  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Mexico.  Lands 
planted  in  this  variety  of  maguey  bring  large  prices  in  Mexico.  One 
farm  containing  less  than  L,700  hectares  was  sold  for  600,000  pesos 
($300,000).     The  government  of  Jalisco  is  endeavoring  to  introduce 


JALISCO. 


Ill 


the  culture  of  the  Yucatan  henequen,  the  plant  of  which  resembles  in 
appearance  the  maguey.  Agricultural  enterprises  on  a  large  scale  could 
be  successfully  carried  on  in  the  part  of  the  State  comprised  in  the  so- 
called  hot  country,  where  virgin  lands  cleared  of  underbrush  can  be 
obtained  at  very  low  prices.  During  the  last  few  years  large  ship- 
ments of  oranges  from  the  La  Barca  district  have  been  made  to  the 
United  States.  These  oranges  are  of  a  rich  color,  delicately  flavored, 
and  are  sweet  and  luscious.  They  come  into  the  market  a  few  weeks 
before  the  early  California  oranges,  and  are  yearly  becoming  more 
highly  prized  in  the  markets  of  the  United  States. 

Communications. — The  main  line  of  the  Mexican  Central  Railway 
passes  through  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  State.  A  branch  line 
of  this  road  runs  from  Lagos  to  La  Barca,  Guadalajara,  and  Ameca. 
This  branch  will  ultimately  be  extended  to  the  Pacific  coast,  opening 
up  a  region  rich  in  valuable  forests  and  agricultural  and  mineral 
wealth. 

Industries. — The  sugar  industiy  is  of  great  importance,  the  average 
annual  production  reaching  12,000  tons  of  refined  sugar  and  10,000 
tons  of  raw  sugar,  worth,  respectively,  about  $2,500,000  and  $1,200,000. 
The  district  of  Cocula  alone,  situated  in  the  temperate  zone,  produces 
10,000  tons  of  sugar,  or  three  times  more  than  the  entire  State  of 
Veracruz.  A  "hacienda"  situated  in  this  district  not  far  from  Santa 
Ana  has  realized  a  profit  of  $800,000  in  one  year.  Morelos  is  the  only 
State  whose  production  exceeds  that  of  Jalisco. 

Cattle  raising  is  also  carried  on  in  Jalisco  to  advantage  and  profit. 
This  industry  is  as  yet  in  its  infanc}7,  but  is  rapidly  increasing  in  value 
and  importance.  The  number  of  large  ranches  or  farms  in  this  State 
is  also  considerable,  many  of  which  constantly  employ  500  or  600 
laborers  and  200  to  300  horses  and  mules  daily  in  the  operation  of  the 
same. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  twelve  cantons,  the  names  and 
populations  of  which  are  as  follows: 


Guadalajara 205,66-4 

Lagos 104, 135 


La  Barca  , 

Sayula 

Ameca 

Autlan  .. 
Jocotepec 


165,  948 
87, 065 
59, 345 
70, 227 
52, 399 


Colotlan 68,730 

Ciudad  Guzman 134,  612 

Mascota 52,  712 

Teocaltiche 94,  439 

Ahualulco 58,615 


Total 1,153,891 


Guadalajara,  the  capital  of  the  State,  with  101,208  inhabitants,  is 
one  of  the  finest  cities  in  the  country,  and  is  known  as  the  "  Pearl  of  the 
West."  It  contains  a  large  number  of  government  buildings,  schools, 
and  educational  institutions,  a  large  and  handsome  cathedral,  and  the 
largest  theater  in  the  Republic,  a  Federal  assa}7  office,  three  banks,  and 
a  chamber  of  commerce.     Many  magnificent  public  parks  adorn  and 


112  8CEXI0O. 

beautify  the  town.  The  cotton  industry  i>  one  of  the  principal  indus- 
tries of  the  city.  La  Compania  Industrial  Manufacturera  (capital 
4,000,000  pesos),  lias  established  a  spinning  mill  and  Ton  Looms  at 
Juanacatlan,  264  kilometers  from  Guadalajara.  Che  machinery  is  nm 
by  the  celebrated  waterfalls  of  Juanacatlan.  Manta  or  unbleached 
cotton  is  the  principal  product.  A  few  kilometers  from  Guadalajara, 
but  in  another  direction,  the  ( lompania  Industrial  of  Guadalajara,  with 
a  capital  of  2,000,000  yy(w«,  o\\  OS  the  cottOD  factories  of  Atemajac  and 
Experiencia.  Thereare  L 64 looms ai  Atemajacand  L80a<  Experiencia, 
all  imported  from  England.  There  are  also  two  other  cotton  factories 
in  the  State  of  Jalisco,  those  of  Escoba  and  Rio  Blanco.  but  they  arc 
of  much  less  importance.  There  are  do  woolen  mills,  with  the  excep- 
tion ^\'  a  few  hand  looms.  The  leather  industry  is  greatly  developed. 
There  are  in  Guadalajara  saddleries,  shoe  factories,  and  two  tanneries; 
also  two  breweries,  a  paper  mill,  and  canning  factories.  The  city  is 
in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  and  many  opportunities  exist  for  the 
establishment  of  new  industries. 

In  addition  to  Guadalajara,  the  State  of  Jalisco  contains  a  number 
of  other  important  cities,  as  shown  by  the  following  table: 


,  Fasr 


La  Karen 7,100 


Name. 


Zacoales. 


Popula- 
tion. 


6,616 


Zapotlanejo 20,270     Autlan  r,715 

Ciudad Guzman  i~.:"";     Teocaltiche  B.881 

16,000      Imeca  7,952 

savulu          7,883     Cocula  


The  number  of  public  schools  in  the  State  exceeded,  not  including 
church  and  private  schools.  600  in  1902.  These  schools  had  36,896 
pupils  enrolled,  with  an  average  attendance  of  42, 385.  The  Dumber  of 
scholars  attending  church  and  private  schools  during  the  same  period 
was  28,108.  The  State  of  Jalisco  spends  more  than  $300,000  annually 
in  the  maintenance  of  its  schools.  Guadalajara  has  a  Dumber  of  schools 
devoted  to  higher  education,  including  the  College  of  Medicioe  and 
Pharmacy,  the  Law  School,  the  Lyceum,  and  the  Normal  School. 

MKXlt  o. 

The  Stat"  of  Mexico,  population  934,463;  capital,  the  city  of  Toluca, 
2,671  meters  above  the  sea,  population  25,904,  is  among  the  mosl 
important  agricultural  and  industrial  sections  of  the  Republic.  Its 
territory  is  not  very  Large,  but  it  is  fairly  well  populated  and  embraces 
within  its  limits  such  valleys  as  the  Toluca  Valley  and  the  valley  of 
Mexico,  which  are  classed  amoDg  the  most  beautiful  and  fertile  in  the 
world. 

Boundaries.— Its  boundaries  are  the  State  of  Hidalgo  od  the  north. 
Tlaxcala  and  Puebla  on  the  east,  Morelos  on  the  south  and  southeast. 


MEXICO.  113 

Guerrero  on  the  south  and  southwest,  and  Michoacan  on  the  west. 
The  Federal  District  lies  to  the  east  of  the  State. 

Topography. — -The  State  occupies  one  of  the  most  beautiful  regions 
on  earth.  The  northern  portion  is  a  plain,  intersected  by  small  foot- 
hills and  covered  with  salt  lakes  and  marshy  lands;  this  is  the  land  of 
the  cactus  and  agave.  The  eastern  part  is  occupied  by  the  Popo- 
catepetl range,  fertile  lands,  snow-covered  peaks,  smoking  volcanoes, 
and  the  celebrated  valley  of  Texcoco.  The  center  is  the  region  of 
forests  and  mountains,  the  valley  of  Toluca  occupying  the  highest 
plateau.  The  Sierra  Nevada  mountain  range,  with  its  snow-covered 
peak  of  Popocatepetl,  the  highest  in  the  country,  rising  5,400  meters 
above  sea  level,  traverses  the  eastern  section;  to  the  north  is  Iztacc- 
huatl,  4,786  meters  in  height;  and  to  the  south  runs  the  Ajusco  range, 
which  marks  the  limit  of  the  valle}^  of  Mexico;  its  highest  peak  is 
Ajusco,  4,153  meters  high.  The  Sierra  de  Guadalupe  lies  north  of 
the  Federal  District,  and  to  the  northwest  of  the  Ajusco  range  is  the 
snow-capped  volcano  of  Toluca  or  Xinantecatl,  4,476  meters  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  in  whose  crater  are  two  lakes  of  potable  water. 
The  valley  of  Toluca  is  a  beautiful  spot,  more  than  2,000  meters  above 
sea  level,  being  situated  on  the  highest  plateau  of  the  Republic  and 
embracing  within  its  limits  the  Federal  District  and  the  City  of  Mexico, 
capital  of  the  Republic. 

Hydrography. — The  State  is  divided  into  two  hydrographic  basins — 
the  valley  of  Mexico  and  the  basin  of  the  Lerma  River,  the  latter 
extending  to  the  States  of  Queretaro,  Michoacan.  and  Guanajuato. 
The  Lerma  is  b}T  far  the  most  important  stream  of  the  country, 
traversing  an  extent  of  452  kilometers  from  its  source  to  its  mouth  in 
the  Chapala  Lake.  Next  in  importance  is  the  Cuautitlan  or  Desague 
River;  following,  according  to  rank,  the  Tula,  the  Tajo  de  Nochistango. 
This  valley  also  contains  live  important  lakes,  three  of  which  lie 
wholly  within  its  boundaries,  viz,  Zumpango,  San  Cristobal,  and 
Xaltocan,  while  the  Texcoco  and  Chalco  extend  into  other  States. 
The  Lerma  lagoon  lies  wholly  within  the  State. 

Climate. — Climatological  conditions  vary  according  to  altitudes. 
In  the  valley  of  Toluca,  3,176  meters  above  sea  level,  it  is  exceedingh7 
cold,  while  the  valley  of  Mexico  enjoys  a  temperate  and  healthy 
climate,  although  it  is  somewhat  variable.  The  rainfall  is  uncertain — 
scarce  at  times  and  then  again  falling  abundantly.  Frost  is  not 
frequent. 

Fauna  and  flora. — Both  fauna  and  flora  are  extremely  rich,  embra- 
cing as  many  species  as  the  most  favored  States. 

Resources.  —  The  principal  agricultural  products  are  cereals,  legumi- 
nous plants,  and  spices.  Besides  these  there  are  rice,  coffee,  sugar 
cane  linseed,  tobacco,  and  the  maguey  plant.     The  total  production 

509a— 04 8 


114  MEXICO. 

varies  in  value  from  ten  to  twelve  millions  of  pesos  per  annum.  Offi- 
cial statistics  for  1902  estimate  al  17,697,763  kilos  the  production  of 
cereals  in  the  State,  with  a  value  of  $8,716,364;  sugar-cane  products 
(direct)  966,000  kilos,  at  $118,000;  sugar-cane  nun.  $115,000;  pulque, 

207,50<»  hectoliters,  at  £44o.ooo,  and  thu-hltjue,  another  maguey  prod- 
uct, 610,326  hectoliters,  valued  at  $1,062,765.  Stock  raising  Is  also 
one  of  the  principal  sources  of  wealth,  with  an  estimated  value  of 
S17.nno.iKio.  with  the  following  relative  rank:  Sheep,  cattle,  hogs, 
goats,  horses,  asses,  and  mules. 

Mining.-  Many  rich  mining  districts  are  within  the  State  though 
their  wealth  is  not  yet  fully  exploited.  Gold,  silver,  and  lead  are  the 
principal  metals.  On  December  31,  1902,  there  were  registered  375 
claims,  covering  4,191  hectares,  the  total  production  of  the  mines  in 
operation  in  the  State,  24  in  number,  being  estimated  at  lst;.r>f>7.257 
kilos,  valued  at  *.■>.»  >44,!)53. 

Trade.  Annual  trade  of  the  State  may  be  safely  estimated  at  about 
seven  to  eight  millions  of  pesos,  the  principal  commercial  centers 
being  Toluca,  Tenancingo,  Cuautithin,  C'halco,  and  Amecameca,  most 
of  the  products  going  to  Mexico  City. 

Communications. — The  principal  railway  lines  traversing  the  State 
are  the  Mexican  National,  the  International,  and  the  Interoceanic. 
The  line  from  Mexico  to  Salto  has  an  extent  of  44  kilometers,  the 
Mexico  and  Veracruz  60  kilometers,  and  the  Central  66  kilometers. 
The  Interoceanic  has  two  tracks,  one  from  Mexico  to  Veracruz,  and 
one  from  Morelos  to  Acapulco,  the  first  »'>'•♦  kilometers  in  length  and 
the  latter  m;  kilometers.  The  several  street  railways  measure  39  kilo- 
meters in  length.  Telegraph,  telephone,  and  mail  communications 
are  efficient,  there  being  over  400,000  meters  of  telegraph  wires. 
900,000  of  telephone,  and  23  post-offices.     The  State  is  crossed  in  all 

directions  by  wagon  roads. 

Industries.  The  leading  industries  are  the  manufacture  of  cotton 
and  woolen  goods,  bricks,  cheese  and  butter,  wines,  glassware,  wheat, 
Hour,  sugar,  alcohol,  pottery,  and  pulque. 

Divisions.-  Politically  the  divisions  are  into  15  districts,  subdivided 
into  municipalities.     The  districts  are: 

Jilotepec  de  Abasolo,  population  72,137;  its  chief  town,  Jilotepec, 
39  kilometers  from  Toluca.  the  capital  of  the  State. 

Cuautithin.  population  33,048,  with  a  chief  town  bearing  the  same 
name.  L09  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

Zumpango  de  Victoria,  population  28,363;  its  chief  town,  Zumpango 
de  la  Laguna,  is  L22  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

Otumba  de  Morelos.  population  36,218,  the  chief  town  of  which, 
Otumba  de  G6mez  Farias,  is  114  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

Texcoco  de  Mora,  population  58,921,  the  chief  town  of  which,  Tex- 
coco,  near  a  lake  of  the  same  name,  is  a  line  town  containing  several 


MICHOACAN.  115 

manufacturing-  establishments  and  the  repair  shops  of  the  Interoceanic 
Railroad. 

Chalco  de  Diaz  Covarrubia,  population  69,478;  its  chief  town,  Chalco, 
is  quite  a  commercial  center,  a  line  of  tramways  running  between  it 
and  Tlalmanaco,  21  kilometers  in  length. 

Ixtlahuaca  de  Ra}^6n,  population  96,917;  its  chief  town  bears  the 
same  name,  and  is  situated  78  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

Valle  de  Bravo,  population  19,866,  the  chief  town  of  which  bears 
the  same  name  and  is  situated  55  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

Toluca  de  Lerdo,  population  128,735;  its  chief  town,  Toluca,  popu- 
lation 25,901,  is  also  the  State  capital,  and  is  a  very  beautiful  city, 
containing  many  tine  public  buildings,  breweries,  ice  factories,  a 
chamber  of  commerce,  a  bank,  cotton  mills,  oil  and  flour  mills.  It  is 
the  principal  commercial  town  in  the  State,  and  is  situated  73  kilo- 
meters from  Mexico  City^  (by  rail  two  hours  and  fifty  minutes),  197 
kilometers  from  Veracruz,  and  is  connected  by  rail  with  the  principal 
cities  of  the  Republic  and  of  the  United  States. 

Tenango  de  Arista,  population  71,966;  its  chief  town,  of  the  same 
name,  25  kilometers  from  the  capital  of  the  State,  has  cotton,  oil,  and 
flour  mills. 

Lerma,  population  46,703;  its  chief  town,  Lerma,  is  13  kilometers 
distant  from  Toluca. 

Tlalnepantla  de  Comonf  ort,  population  61,486;  its  chief  town,  Tlalne- 
pantla,  is  12  kilometers  from  Mexico  City,  with  which  it  is  connected 
by  rail,  and  77  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

Tenancingo  de  Degollado,  population  66,233;  its  chief  town,  Ten- 
ancingo,  is  an  important  commercial  town  16  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

Temascaltepec,  population  18,702;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  25  kilometers  from  the  capital  of  the  State. 

Sultepec  de  Alquisiras,  population  65,660;  its  chief  town,  Sultepec, 
is  67  kilometers  from  Toluca. 

MICHOACAN. 

The  State  of  Michoacan  de  Ocampo,  population  930.033;  its  capital, 
Morelia,  1,950  meters  altitude,  population  37,278,  is  one  of  the  richest 
and  most  beautiful  regions  of  the  Republic. 

n<>ini(laries.—ltH  boundaries  are  Guanajuato  on  the  north,  Mexico 
and  Queretaro  on  the  northeast,  Guerrero  and  Colima  on  the  south 
east,  Jalisco  on  the  west,  and  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  south.     The 
State  measures  55,693  square  kilometers. 

Topography. — The  general  character  of  the  State  is  mountainous, 
and  it  is  immensely  rich  in  vegetation.  The  coast  line,  which  is  gen- 
erally low,  measures  163  kilometers  in  extent.  The  Sierra  Madre 
Mountains  traverse  the  State,  sloping  down,  in  the  southern  part,  to 
the  basin  of  the  Balsas  River,  and  continuing  their  course  on  the  farther 


1  L6  MEXICO. 

bank  of  the  river  as  the  Sierra  Coalcoman.  Other  ranges  are  Ozuma- 
tlan,  Tajimaroa,  Zitacuaro,  Angangisco,  and  Tlalpujahua.  The  highest 
peaks  are  Tamtitado,  386  meters;  Patamban,  3,750;  Chine.'...  3,324; 
Tarimangacho,  3,104;  Zirate,  3,349;  San  Andres,  3,282;  the  volcano 
of  Jorullo,  L,299,  and  several  others  of  lesser  importance. 

Hydrography.  The  principal  rivers  are  the  Lerraa,  which  irrigates 
the  upper  region  of  the  State  running  cast  and  west,  and.  after  receiv- 
ing the  waters  of  several  affluents,  finally  empties  int<»  Lake  Chapala; 
the  Duero,  flowing  from  southwest  to  northwest,  and  the  Balsas,  called 
also  Zacatula  and  Atovac  which  Hows  from  east  to  west,  and  has  sev- 
eral tributaries.  The  Lake  of  Chapala,  1,580  square  kilometers  in 
extent.  i*>  on  the  Jalisco  boundary,  one-sixth  of  it  belonging  to  the 
State  of  Michoacan.  In  the  same  region  are  the  lagoons  of  Tacas- 
cuaro  and  Magdalena.  The  Like  of  Patzcuaro,  36,090  meters  long 
and  31,508  in  breadth,  contain-  live  small  islands,  three  of  which  are 
inhabited.  Other  bodies  of  water  lying  within  the  State  Limits  are 
Lake  Cuitzeo,  the  lagoon  of  Zirahuen,  and  of  Zipimeo. 

Climate.—  All  varieties  of  climate  are  found  in  the  State,  the  cold 
in  the  high  altitudes  being  most  intense,  while  the  northern  portion 
is  temperate  and  healthy,  the  heat  increasing  toward  the  south,  where 
fevers  are  prevalent. 

F<i/i,ui  and  flora. — The  fauna  of  the  State  is  rich  and  varied,  the 
different  species  equaling  in  number  those  of  other  portions  of  the 
Republic.     The  same  is  true  in  regard  to  the  flora. 

Resources. — The  principal  agricultural  products  are  cereals,  canary 
seed,  sesame  and  linseed,  coffee,  vanilla,  rubber,  tobacco,  sugar  cane, 
fruits  of  all  kinds,  and  cabinet  Woods.  Production,  according  to 
official  data,  was  as  follows  in  1902:  Cereals  to  the  value  of  about 
18,000,000,  the  principal   items   being  corn.   14,865,000,   and   wheat. 

$2,500,000;  sugar-cane  products  to  the  amount  of   21,000, kilos, 

valued  at  $3,100,000;  alcohol,  $758,000;  maguey  products,  $285,000; 
coffee,  $93,000,  and  toha ceo,  $64,000.  The  annual  valuation  of  agri- 
cultural products  varies  from  L5,000,000  to  L6,000,000  pesos.  The 
stock  value  of  the  State  is  calculated  at  about  $10,000,000,  in  the  fol- 
lowing order:  Beef  cattle,  sheep,  horses,  hogs,  goats,  mules,  and  a--'-. 

Mining.  Michoacan  is  one  of  the  richest  mining  sections  of  Mexico, 
gold,  silver,  copper,  iron,  cinnabar,  lead,  sulphur,  copperas,  marble, 
granite,  and  coal  being  among  the  minerals  found  in  abundance.  The 
number  of  registered  claims  on  December  31,  1902,  amounted  to  117. 
covering  an  area  of  10,064  hectares,  while  the  total  mineral  produc- 
tion of  the  State  i.  estimatedal  34,000,000  kilos,  valued  at  $1,200,0"0, 
there1  being  .~>t'.  mines  in  operation. 

Trade.  Commerce  is  one  of  the  leading  industries,  the  principal 
articles  of  trade  being  cereals,  exported  to  the  neighboring  Stales  of 
Guanajuato.  San  Luis  Potosi,  Quer^taro,  and  to  Mexico  City;  coffee 


MEXICO.     "  117 

to  Germany  and  the  United  States  and  Mexico  City;  fruits  to  the 
United  States  and  to  Queretaro  and  Guanajuato.  Foreign  trade  is 
carried  on  through  the  ports  of  Veracruz  and  Manzanillo  and  the 
frontier  customs  ports  of  Paso  del  Norte  and  Nuevo  Laredo.  The 
total  trade  of  the  State  may  be  estimated  at  about  $30,000,000.  The 
gold  and  silver  mined  is  sent  to  the  mint  at  Mexico  for  coinage. 

Communications. — The  line  of  the  Mexican  National  Railroad,  from 
Patzcuaro  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  traverses  the  State  for  an  extent  of 
■130  kilometers.  It  is  also  crossed  b\T  the  Mexican  Central,  and  con- 
cessions have  been  granted  for  two  other  roads.  Three  street-car  lines 
are  in  operation,  while  there  are  good  telegraph,  telephone,  and  mail 
facilities,  and  some  very  good  wagon  roads.  A  steel  steamboat  navi- 
gates Patzcuaro  Lake. 

Indust/ries. — The  manufacturing  industries  are  confined  mainly  to 
the  production  of  cotton  and  silk  shawls,  cotton  and  woolen  goods,  palm 
hats,  lace  and  embroideries,  sugar-cane  products,  pulque  mescal,  cheese, 
wax  matches,  and  beer.  Sericulture  and  the  culture  of  olive  trees  and 
grapevines  are  being  introduced. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  15  districts,  subdivided  into  75 
municipalities,  the  districts  being  as  follows: 

Piedad,  population  61,936;  its  chief  town,  Piedad  Cabados,  is  an 
important  one,  situated  near  the  station  of  the  Central  Railway,  181 
kilometers  from  Morelia.  the  capital  of  the  State. 

Puruandiro,  population  92,871;  its  chief  town,  Puruandiro  de  Cal- 
deron,  the  third  city  in  the  State  from  an  industrial  and  commercial 
standpoint,  is  86  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

Morelia,  population  136,760;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same  name, 
is  also  the  capital  of  the  State,  with  37,278  inhabitants.  It  has  a  num- 
ber of  fine  public  buildings,  an  aqueduct,  several  factories,  a  public 
library,  and  a  museum.  It  is  situated  on  a  picturesque  hill,  about  377 
kilometers  from  Mexico  City,  and  has  tramway  lines  connecting  it  with 
the  station  of  the  Central  Railway. 

Zinapecuaro,  population  56, nil:  its  chief  town.  Zinapecuaro  de 
Figueroa,  is  51  kilometers  from  Morelia  and  7  from  Huingo  Station,  on 
the  Mexican  National  Railroad. 

Maravatio,  population  53,5s3:  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  151  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

Zitacuaro,  population  65,621;  its  chief  town.  Zitacuaro  de  la  Inde- 
pendencia,  is  155  kilometers  from  Morelia  on  the  line  of  the  Miehoaciin 
road. 

Huetamo,  population  48,443;  its  chief  town,  Huetamo  de  Nunez,  is 
252  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

Tacambarq,  population  1<».i'>'.>7:  its  chief  town,  Tacambaro  de  Coda- 
llos,  is  93  kilometers  from  Morelia. 


118  MEXICO. 

Arid  de  Resales,  population  t2,831;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  88  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

Apat/.ingan.  population  26,461;  its  chief  town.  Apatzing&n  de  la 
Constituci6n,  is  241  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

Coalcoman,  population  L7,065;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  Bame 
name,  is  428  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

Uruapan.  population  80,250;  it-  chief  town.  I'ruapan  del  Progreso, 
is  L25  kilometers  from  Morelia.  Thecoffee  from  this  district  is  valued 
very  highly  l>oth  in  the  Republic  and  abroad.  The  production  is,  how- 
ever, very  small. 

Jiquilapan,  population  59,938;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  24.")  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

Zamora,  population  92,150;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same  name, 
is  L28  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

P&tzcuaro,  population  52,403;  its  chief  town,  of  the  same  name,  lies 
near  the  beautiful  lake  of  P&tzcuaro,  62  kilometers  from  Morelia. 

MOKELOS. 

The  State  of  Morelos,  population  160,115,  capital  Cuernavaca,  1,542 
meters  altitudes,  with  a  population  of  9,584,  is  a  small  hut  rich  and 
progressive  State. 

Boundaries. — Its  boundaries  are  the  Federal  District  to  the  north: 
the  State  of  Mexico  on  the  west,  northwest,  and  northeast:    Puebla  on 

the  east  and  southeast,  and  Guerrero  on  the  south  and  southeast.  Its 
area  is  7,082  square  kilometers. 

Topography. — The  topograpical  conditions  are  varied,  embracing 
high  mountain  ranges,  snow-capped  volcanoes,  beautiful  valleys,  and 
deep  ravines.  The  northern  part  is  the  mountainous  section.  There 
rises  the  lofty  Sierra  de  Ajusco,  while  the  Suitzilac,  Tepoctlan.  and 
Santo  Domingo  ranges  extend  from  west  to  east  until  they  meet  the 
Tlayacapon  mountains.  Th(>  highest  peaks  in  these  ranges  are  ¥epac, 
Ololuica,  and  Ocotecatl.  In  the  northeast  are  the  Popocatepetl  and 
the  Ixtacihuatl  ranges,  while  other  mountain  chains  cross  the  State  in 
all  directions. 

Hydrography. — The  State  may  be  said  to  belong  to  the  basin  of  the 
Amacusac  River,  which  traverses  it  from  wist  to  east.  This  river  is 
formed  by  the  junction  of  the  San  Jeronimo  and  Chontalcuallan  and 
receives  a  large  Dumber  of  tributary  streams,  among  them  the  ( Jhalma, 
Alpuyeca.  Tepalcapa,  Yautepec,  Jojutla,  Tlaquiltenango,  and  Cuautla 
rivers.  The  principal  lake  i-  Lake  Tequesquiten,  which  occupies  the 
site  of  the  old  town  bearing  the  same  name,  and  which,  by  reason  of  a 
subsidence  of  the  ground,  due  to  frequent  inundations,  was  engulfed 
about  half  a  century  ago  by  the  waters  used  in  irrigating  the  land. 
The  church  spire  may  yet  be  seen  in  the  middle  of  the  lake.  Others 
are  the  Miacatlan  and  Queyapan  lakes.     Mineral  hot  springs  abound. 


MOKE  LOS.  *  119 

Climate. — The  climate  is  hot  in  the  southern  and  central  regions, 
cold  in  the  northern  or  mountainous  portions,  and  temperate  on  the 
mountain  slopes.  Rainfall  is  moderate  throughout  the  territory  with 
the  exception  of  the  slopes  of  the  northern  mountains,  where  it  is 
very  abundant.  Frosts  are  of  infrequent  occurrence.  The  prevailing- 
diseases  are  malarial  and  typhus  fevers  and  affections  of  the  respira- 
tory and  digestive  organs. 

Fauna  and  flora. — Both  fauna  and  flora  are  rich  and  varied, 
embracing  the  same  species  indigenous  to  other  States  of  the  Republic. 

Resources.  — From  an  agricultural  standpoint,  Morelos  is  one  of  the 
richest  States  in  Mexico.  The  principal  products  are  sugar  cane,  rice, 
corn,  coffee,  wheat,  and  garden  vegetables.  The  first  cane  plantation 
and  sugar  mill  in  Mexico  was  established  by  Cortes  in  Tlaltenango, 
and  since  that  time  its  culture  has  advanced  steadily  and  continuously, 
it  being  now  the  leading  article  of  production  of  the  State  of  Morelos. 
Rice  yields  at  the  rate  of  200  kilograms  for  1  kilogram  of  seed;  corn, 
100  to  200  hectoliters  for  1  hectoliter  sown,  and  other  products  render 
adequate  returns  for  their  culture.  The  State's  agricultural  produc- 
tion, according  to  official  figures  for  1902,  was  as  follows:  Cereals, 
$1,000,000;  sugar-cane  products,  except  rum,  61,791,000  kilos,  valued 
at  $9,035,500;  rum,  19,000  hectoliters,  at  $1,170,250 J  maguey  products, 
few  $13,000.  The  extent  of  coffee  culture  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  a 
years  ago  1,000,000  trees  were  planted.  Stock  raising  does  not  receive 
much  attention,  the  total  value  of  all  kinds,  including  beef  cattle,  sheep, 
and  goats,  being  $1,250,000. 

Mining. — Mining  occupies  an  inferior  position  among  the  industries 
of  the  State,  although  within  its  territory  are  found  silver,  galena, 
marble,  alabaster,  cinnabar,  iron,  gold,  lead,  petroleum,  and  coal. 

Trade — Morelos  is  an  important  mercantile  center,  not  onlv  on 
account  of  its  proximity  to  the  Federal  District,  but  also  by  reason  of 
its  immense  sugar-cane  interests.  The  Jnteroceanic  Railroad  does  not 
suffice  for  the  traffic  in  these  products,  the  supplementary  use  of  mule 
paths  being  also  found  requisite  for  their  conveyance  to  Mexico  City. 
About  $3,000,000  is  the  calculated  annual  export  value  of  cane  prod- 
ucts, such  as  sugar,  rum,  and  molasses.  Fruit  exports  figure  at  about 
$1,000,000,  and  other  products,  including  corn,  coffee,  mescal,  etc., 
about  $100,000.  Imports  ma}T  be  estimated  at  about  $2,000,000,  and 
include  alimentary  products,  furniture,  clothing,  books,  implements, 
arms  and  ammunition,  and  hardware. 

Communications. — The  Interoceanic  Railway  traverses  the  State 
from  northeast  to  southwest,  having  seven  stations  in  its  extent  of  76 
kilometers.  A  concession  has  recently  been  granted  for  a  line  between 
Toluca  and  Cuernavaca,  and  there  is  a  prospect  for  the  Valley  Railway 
being  extended  to  the  latter  city.  Good  wagon  roads  exist  and  tele- 
graph, telephone,  and  mail  service  is  efficient. 


120  MKXICO. 

Industries. — The  manufacturing  industries,  in  addition  to  the  devel- 
opment of  cane  products,  include  the  preparation  of  mescal,  and  the 
manufacture  of  beer,  flour,  chocolate,  oils,  cigars,  bricks,  tiles,  hair 
bridles  and  halters,  ixtle  bags,  and  cotton  goods.     Pottery  works  and 

tanneries  also  make  good  returns. 

Divisions.  The  State  of  Morelos  is  divided  into  6  districts,  subdi- 
vided into  26  municipalities,  as  follows: 

Cuernavaca,  population  40,813;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  also  the  capital  of  the  State,  on  the  river  Tepeyte,  76  kilo- 
meters from  the  City  of  Mexico.  Cuernavaca  is  a  justly  celebrated 
health  resort,  much  visited  by  natives  and  tourists  on  account  of  its 
salubrious  climate.  It  is  an  important  commercial  center,  possessing 
very  line  public  buildings,  among  others  the  Palace  of  Cortes,  where 
the  State  Legislature  meets,  a  Meteorological  Observatory,  and  the 
public  library.  The  population  of  the  capital  numbers  9,584  inhab- 
itants. 

Yautepec,  population  18,336;  its  chief  town,  Yautepec  de  Zaragoza, 
Is  25  kilometers  from  Cuernavaca  and  161  kilometers  from  the  City 
of  Mexico,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  the  Interoceanic  Railway. 

Morelos.  population  3<>,055;  its  chief  town,  Cuautla  Morelos,  is  44 
kilometers  from  Cuernavaca.  and  is  connected  with  the  capital  of  the 
Republic  b}r  rail. 

Jonacatepec,  population  20,595;  its  chief  town,  Jonacatepec  de 
Leandro  Valle,  is  74  kilometers  from  Cuernavaca. 

Juarez,  population  20,233:  its  chief  town,  dojutla  de  Juarez,  is  50 
kilometers  from  Cuernavaca.  and  is  connected  with  the  City  of  Mexico 
by  rail. 

Tetecala,  population  24,083;  its  chief  town,  Tetecaladc  la  lieforma, 
is  48  kilometers  from  Cuernavaca. 

M   K\  O   LEON. 

The  State  of  NuevoLeon,  population  327,037;  capital  city.  Monterey, 
495  meters  altitude,  population  62,266,  occupying  a  very  fertile  and 
well-watered  region,  abounding  in  minerals. 

Boundaries.  -The  boundaries  are  Coahuila  on  the  north,  northwest, 
and  west;  San  Luis  Potosi  on  the  south  and  southwest,  and  Tamaulipas 
on  the  northeast,  east,  and  southeast.  Nuevo  Leon,  whose  area  is 
01,343  square  kilometers,  occupies  the  eastern  slope  of  the  central 
plateau,  extending  in  a  northeasterly  direction. 

Topography. — The  Sierra  Madre  Mountains  traverse  the  State  at  a 
mean  elevation  of  1,070  meters  above  sea  level  for  a  distance  of  252 
kilometers.  Among  its  numerous  peaks,  the  Potosi  is  the  principal, 
its  summit  being  covered  with  snow  during  part  of  the  summer. 
These  mountains  come  to  an  abrupt  end    in  the  northern  part  of  the 


NUEVO    LEON.  121 

State;  here  another  chain  starts  whose  highest  peaks  are  known  as  the 
Silla,  Mitra,  Topo,  and  Salinas.  At  the  latter  point  the  chain  is  bifur- 
cated, forming  two  new  ranges,  viz,  the  Sierra  de  Gomas  on  the  north 
and  the  Sierra  de  Picachos  on  the  south. 

Hydrography. — Twelve  rivers  and  100  smaller  streams  irrigate  the 
State,  besides  numberless  brooks.  None  of  these  water  courses,  how- 
ever, are  navigable.  The  principal  river  is  the  Salado,  its  waters 
abounding  in  tishes  and  fine  pearl  oysters.  It  receives  the  waters  of 
man}-  tributaries  and  flows  from  west  to  east,  emptying  in  the  Rio 
Bravo.  The  Santa  Catarina,  the  Ramos,  the  Pilon,  the  Rio  Grande  de 
San  Juan,  the  Potosi,  the  Hualahuises,  and  Pablillo  rivers  follow  in 
the  order  mentioned.  There  are  also  two  lagoons  and  several  hot 
springs,  but  no  lakes. 

( 'limate. — The  climate  varies  according  to  the  altitude,  but  it  is 
generally  temperate  and  healthy,  the  extreme  of  heat  being  found  in 
the  north  and  east  where  the  land  is  low,  while  on  the  highlands  of 
the  south  a  moderate  temperature  prevails,  varying  in  the  Sierra 
Madre  Mountains  according  to  the  altitude.  The  rainfall  is  variable, 
and  winds  come  in  general  from  the  east  and  northeast. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  libra  of  the  State  possess  the  same 
qualities  and  extent  as  other  Mexican  States. 

Resources. — Agriculture  has  been  steadily  progressing.  The  Mexi- 
can Statistical  xVnnual  for  1902  credits  the  State  with  the  following 
production  in  round  figures:  Cereals,  $1,108,000;  sugar-cane  products, 
rum  excepted,  8,559,000  kilos,  valued  at  $940,000;  rum,  $36,250; 
maguey  products,  §11,000;  ixtle,  $31,000.  The  value  of  stock  in  the 
State  is  estimated  at  $6,000,000,  the  different  varieties  classed  as  fol- 
lows: Goats,  sheep,  beef  cattle,  horses,  hogs,  asses,  and  mules. 

Mining. — The  mineral  wealth  of  the  land  has  been  very  slightly 
developed,  although  there  exist  mines  of  iron,  copper,  silver,  lead, 
coal,  sulphur,  marble,  etc.  On  the  31st  of  December,  1902,  the  num- 
ber of  registered  claims  was  509,  covering  an  area  of  9,701  hectares,  the 
total  output  of  the  State  being  estimated  at  151,112,839  kilos,  with  a 
value  of  $2,427,000,  the  number  of  mines  in  operation  being  60. 

Trade. — Among  the  exports  may  be  mentioned  shipments  of  cattle 
to  Texas  (United  States)  and  to  some  Mexican  States,  also  agricultural 
products  and  a  small  quantity  of  cotton  and  woolen  goods.  The  mer- 
cantile movement  may  be  estimated  at  about  $15,000,000  per  annum. 
Imports  include  clothing,  textile  fabrics,  hardware,  drugs,  paper, 
wines  and  liquors,  coffee,  tea,  machineiy,  implements,  arms,  etc.,  esti- 
mated at  a  value  of  about  $8,000,000  per  annum. 

( Communications. — The  Mexican  National  Railroad  crosses  the  State 
from  west  to  northeast,  having  31  stations  in  its  course  of  280  kilo- 
meters.    The  Montery  and  Gulf  of  Mexico  road  crosses  it  from  west 


122  mix  ico. 

to  south  on  its  way  to  the  State  of  Tamaulipas.     A  branch  of  the 

Mexican  National,  from  Matamoros  to  Monterey  is  in  process  <>l"  con- 
struction. There  arc  30  kilometer-  of  tramways,  all  starting  from 
Monterey,  also  fine  wagon  roads  in  all  direction-.  Telegraph,  tele- 
phone, and  mail  service  is  efficient. 

Industries. — In  addition  to  the  manufacturing  industries  connected 
with  the  sugar  interests,  there  arc  three  large  cotton  mills,  also  one 
tor  the  manufacture  of  cloth  and  cassimeres,  and  several  chocolate. 
rope,  beer,  and  match  establishments. 

Di/oisions.  Nuevo  Leon  is  divided  into  4^  municipalities,  grouped  as 
follow-:  Municipalities  of  the  north.  17:  of  the  east,  14;  of  the  south, 
13;  of  the  west,  :'>.  and  of  the  center.  1. 

The  principal  cities  of  tin-  municipalities  are: 

Northern  group:0  Lampazos  de  Naranjo,  population  8,586,  on  the 
Mexican  National  Railway.  L54  kilometers  from  Monterey;  Villal- 
dama,  population  6,440,  on  the  -ante  road.  94  kilometer-  from  Monte- 
rey, and  Sabinas  Hidalgo,  population  ~.:US. 

Eastern  group:  Cadereyta  Jimenez,  population  18,040,  on  the  Mon- 
terey and  Gulf  Line.  42  kilometers  from  the  capital  of  the  State,  and 
Cerralvo,  population  6,069,  L25  kilometers  from  Monterey. 

Southern  group:  Santiago.  1.2,655  population,  42  kilometers  from 
Monterey;  Montemorelos,  population  is. 44:;.  on  the  Monterey  and 
Gulf  Line, 96  kilometers  from  the  capital:  Linares, population  L9,363, 
the  second  city  in  the  State.  L80  kilometer- from  Monterey,  and  Doctor 
Arroyo.  22,350  population.  302  kilometer-  from  Monterey. 

Western  group:  Garcia,  population  5,107,  which  is  the  only  large 
town  in  this  section,  situated  on  the  Mexican  National  Line.  37  kilo- 
meters from  Monterey.  This  portioo  of  the  State  contains  two  large 
cotton  mills,  one  at  Garza  Garcia,  with  17,740  spindles  and  72  looms, 
producing  from  L5,000  to  20,000  piece-  per  annum,  and  another  at 
Santa  Catarina,  population  4,383,  whose  output  i>  estimated  at  16,000 

piece-. 

Central  municipality,  or  the  municipality  of  Monterey,  population 
7l\!M;3.  contains  the  capital  of  the  State.  Monterey,  with  62,626  inhab- 
itants, situated  975  kilometer-  from  the  City  of  Mexico  by  wagon  road 
and  1,079  by  the  Mexican  National  Line.  Monterey  is  a  handsome  city, 
possessing  very  fine  public  buildings  and  all  the  conveniences  of  civ- 
ilization. It  is  the  first  commercial  city  of  the  northern  Mexican 
frontier,  and  is  connected  by  rail  with  the  principal  cities  of  Mexico 
and  the  United  States.  Among  its  industrial  establishments  are  a 
blanket  and  cassimere  factory,  breweries,  ice  factories,  foundries,  saw- 
mills, flour  mills,  chocolate,  match,  wagon,  and  carriage  factories. 
There  are  three   tramway-,  measuring  13   kilometers  in  length,  that 

"Only  towns  of  3,000  inhabitants  or  over  are  mentioned. 


OAXACA.  123 

cross  the  city.  It  also  possesses  a  bank  and  chamber  of  commerce. 
The  Federal  assay  office  during  1902  treated  gold  for  export  to  the 
value  of  $812,715,  and  silver  for  over  $10,700,000. 

OAXACA. 

The  State  of  Oaxaca  de  Juarez,  population  918,633,  capital  city 
Oaxaca,  1,516  meters  altitude,  population  35,019,  is  one  of  the  most 
important  sections  of  the  Republic. 

Boundaries. — Its  boundaries  are  the  States  of  Puebla  and  Veracruz 
on  the  north,  Veracruz  and  a  portion  of  Chiapas  on  the  northeast 
and  east,  Chiapas  and  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  south,  and  the  State 
of  Guerrero  on  the  west  and  northwest.  Its  area  is  91,661  square 
kilometers. 

Topography. — Oaxaca  occupies  a  beautiful  and  fertile  region,  irri- 
gated by  a  number  of  rivers  and  lesser  streams  which  traverse  the 
numerous  valleys.  The  Sierre  Madre  Mountains  cross  the  whole  State, 
their  ramifications  extending  throughout  the  territory,  and  forming- 
such  valleys  as  the  Nochitlan  or  Mixteco,  2,111  meters  above  sea  level. 
The  maritime  range,  called  Sierra  del  Sur,  is  composed  of  high  moun- 
tains whose  slopes  are  covered  by  virgin  forests.  The  Zempoaltepec, 
3,397  meters  in  height,  is  the  starting  point  of  the  several  ramifications 
of  the  Sierra  Madre.  The  beautiful  valley  of  Oaxaca  or  Antequera 
occupies  the  greater  part  of  the  central  region,  the  San  Felipe  del 
Agua  peak,  3,125  meters  above  sea  level,  representing  its  highest  alti- 
tude. Other  mountain  tops  vary  in  height  from  1,300  to  2,275  meters. 
The  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec  is  traversed  by  the  Tarifa  and  Chimalpa 
mountains. 

Oaxaca  is  one  of  the  maritime  States  of  Mexico  bordering  on  the 
Pacific  Ocean,  and  has  a  coast  line  of  110  kilometers.  These  shores  are 
low  and  sandy.  The  natural  ports  are  Chacahua,  Puerto  Escondido, 
Puerto  Angel,  San  Augustin  Huatules,  San  Diego,  La  Ventosa.  and 
Salina  Cruz,  the  latter  being  the  starting  point  of  the  international 
railroad  that  is  to  connect  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
Salina  Cruz  is  an  open  port  with  a  deep  harbor,  where  the  largest  ves- 
sels may  safely  anchor.  Puerto  Angel  is  a  sheltered  port,  quite  deep, 
but  too  narrow  to  permit  the  passage  of  large  vessels.  These  are  the 
only  ports  open  to  foreign  and  coastwise  traffic.  There  are  numberless 
bays,  bars,  roads,  and  a  few  islands.  The  Gulf  of  Tehuantepec  is  one 
of  the  most  important  in  the  Republic,  being  about  210  kilometers  in 
length  from  east-southeast  to  west-northwest,  and  55  kilometers  from 
north  to  south,  and  affording  numerous  ports,  roads,  harbors,  and  places 
of  anchorage.  • 

Hydrography. — Most  of  the  streams  irrigating  the  State  can  not  be 
properly  called  rivers  on  account  of  their  short  courses.  The  princi- 
pal ones,  all  draining  into  the  Pacific,  are:  The  Atoyac,  293  kilometers 


124  MEXICO. 

in  length,  receiving  the  waters  of  numerous  tributaries;  the  Tehuan- 
tepec,  which,  with  its  numerous  tributaries,  traverses  an  extent  of  2'.'4 
kilometers,  and  the  Arena  or  Pinotepa,  the  Tonameca,  and  Copalita. 

The  principal  lakes  are  the  Superior  and  the  Inferior,  both  in  the 
Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec.  Alotengo,  and  Chacahua,  all  communicating 
with  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

Climate.  The  climate  i>  generally  hot  and  unhealthy  on  the  sea- 
coast  and  lowlands  adjacent  to  the  State  of  Veracruz,  temperate  in  the 
valley  of  Oaxaca  and  on  the  mountain  slopes,  and  cold  in  the  higher 
altitudes  and  throughout  almost  the  whole  region  of  the  Mixteca  Alta. 
Rainfall  is  moderate  in  the  State  and  frosts  are  of  infrequent  occur- 
rence. Fevers  and  affections  of  the  digestive  organs  are  most  preva- 
lent, yellow  fever  occurring  principally  on  tin1  coast. 

Fauna  and  flora.  The  fauna  and  flora  of  the  State  present  the  same 
general  features  as  in  the  other  parts  of  the  Republic. 

Resources.  -The  principal  agricultural  products  of  the  State  during 
the  year  L902  are  officially  given  as  follows:  Cereals,  about  $s.ooo.o00; 
sugar-cane  products  (direct).  10,666,000  kilos,  valued  at  Sl.8ns.O00; 
rum.  $1,221, i»oo;  maguey  products.  *222,ooo:  textile  fibers.  $100,000; 
coffee,  s:»o:;.000,  and  tobacco,  $60,000.  The  yearl}-  agricultural  pro- 
duction of  the  State  maybe  estimated  at  about  $15,000,000.  Stock 
raising  represents  a  value  of  about  $4,000,000,  the  leading  species  being 
sheep,  goat-,  beef  cattle,  hogs,  and  horses. 

Mini  ml.  From  a  mining  standpoint  Oaxaca  is  immensely  rich,  but 
so  far  its  wealth  has  not  been  properly  exploited.  The  principal 
minerals  found  are  silver,  gold,  iron,  lead,  coal,  marble,  and  salt.  The 
number  of  claims  registered  during  1902  was  875,  covering  an  area  of 
(i.sso  hectares.  The  Dumber  of  mines  in  operation  during  the  same 
period  was  4.").  with  a  total  output,  according  to  official  figures,  of  about 
15,000,000  kilos,  valued  at  $1,012,271. 

Trade. — The  State  maintains  an  active  trade  with  the  States  of  Vera- 
cruz. Puebla,  and  Chiapas,  and  sends  its  coffee,  hides,  cochineal,  flour, 
sugar,  minerals,  indigo,  oils,  tobacco,  and  other  products  both  abroad 
and  to  other  parts  of  the  Republic.  The  list  of  foreign  imports  em  bra.  ses 
about  200  articles,  the  principal  being  machinery,  agricultural  imple- 
ments, hardware,  canned  goods,  beer,  wines  and  liquors,  cotton,  woolen 
and  silk  goods,  etc.  The  ports  of  Salina  Cruz  and  Puerto  Angel  are 
maritime  customs  ports,  their  trade  during  the  fiscal  year  1901-2, 
according  to  the**Boletin  de  Estadistica  Fiscal,"  being  estimated  at 
$100,000  for  imports  and  $414,000  for  exports.  The  entire  trade  of 
the  State  i-  calculated  at  from  16,000,000  to  18,000,000  pesos. 

Communications. — The  Southern  Mexican  Railroad  runs  from  Puebla 
to  Oaxaca  on  its  way  to  the  Guatemalan  frontier,  with  a  branch  line  to 
Puerto  Angel.  The  Interoceanic  runs  from  Salina  Cruz  on  the  Pacific 
to  Coatzocoalcos.  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  a  distance  of  304  kilometers. 


OAXACA.  125 

The  city  of  Oaxaca  contains  good  tramways.  The  State  is  also  in  com- 
munication with  the  adjacent  States  by  means  of  high  roads,  telegraph, 
and  mail  routes,  there  being  also  an  efficient  telephone  service.  Mari- 
time communication  by  the  ports  of  Salina  Cruz  and  Puerto  Angel  is 
carried  on  by  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Compairy,  the  Hamburg- 
American  Line,  and  the  Mexican  Line  ""Pacific and  Gulf  of  California." 
There  is  also  a  line  of  steamers,  owned  by  a  Mexican  company,  navi- 
gating the  river  Papaloapam,  and  plying  between  Tlacotalpam  (Vera- 
cruz) and  Tuxtepec. 

Industrie*. — The  industries  of  the  State  are  agriculture  and  the 
extraction  of  the  maguey  fiber,  called  pita  de  Oaxaca,  as  well  as  the 
manufacture  of  woolen  and  cotton  fabrics,  furniture,  potteiy,  candles, 
soap,  matches,  chocolate,  and  tobacco. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  26  districts,  subdivided  into 

463  municipalities,  which  according  to  their  geographical  position  are 
grouped  as  follows: 

Northern:  Silacayoapam,  population,  29,133;  Huajuapam,  45,013; 
Teposcolula,  32,811;  Coixtlahuaca,  17,195;  Teotitltin,  36,556;  Cuica- 
tlan,  23,864,  and  Tuxtepec,  37,745;  their  principal  towns  being  Sila- 
cayoapam, 277  kilometers  from  Oaxaca;  Huajapan  de  Leon,  202 
kilometers  from  Oaxaca;  Coixtlahuaca,  or  Villa  de  Libres,  120  kilome- 
ters from  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  Tuxtepec,  260  kilometers  from 
Oaxaca. 

Eastern:  Villa  Alta,  population,  44,223;  Choapam,  14,128;  Tehaun- 
tepec,  34,948,  and  Yautepec,  25,245;  the  principal  towns  being  Villa 
Alta,  Choapam  Santiago,  Yautepec,  and  Tehauntepec,  population 
10,386,  the  latter  being  the  second  citj^  in  the  state,  on  the  line  of  the 
Isthmian  Interoceanic  road,  294  kilometers  from  Oaxaca  and  21  from 
the  port  of  Salina  Cruz,  and  is  a  fine,  progressive  town. 

Southern:  Juchitan, population,  52,182;  Miahuatlan,  42,947;  Pochu- 
tla,  22,847;  Juquila,  23,769,  and  Jamiltepec,  49,304,  their  principal 
cities  being  Juchitan,  or  Ciudad  de  Zaragoza,  near  the  Interoceanic 
road;  Miahuatlan,  Pochutla,  near  Puerto  Angel;  Juquila,  and  Jamil- 
tepec. 

Western:  Tlaxiaco,  population,  69,460,  and  Juxtlahuaca,  21,139, 
with  their  principal  towns  Heroica  Tlaxiaco,  an  important  industrial 
town,  and  Juxtlahuaca  or  Villa  Albino  Zertuche. 

Central:  Centro,  population  72,024;  Nochixtlan,  42,447;  Villa  Alva- 
rez or  Zimatkin,  48.244;  Ejutla,  25,107;  Tlacolula,  42,124,  and  Ocotlan, 
34,066,  the  chief  town  of  which  is  Oaxaca  de  Juarez,  situated  in  the 
Centro  district  and  capital  of  the  State,  with  35,049  inhabitants.     It  is 

464  kilometers  from  Mexico  City,  340  from  Puebla,  and  464  from 
Veracruz.  This  is  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  advanced  cities  in 
the  Republic,  containing  fine  public  buildings,  tramways,  and  equipped 
with  all  modern  conveniences.     It  is  also  the  leading  industrial  and 


126  MEXICO. 

commercial  center  of  the  State.  Other  towns  are  Etla  de  Santiago, 
Nochixtlan  Asuncion.  Villa  Alvarez  or  Zimatlan,  Heroica  Ejutla 
Crespo,  Tlacolula  de  Matamoros,  and  Villa  de  Morelosor  Ocotlaa  de 
Santu  Domingo. 

PUEBIiA. 

The  State  of  Puebla  has  a  population  of  L,021,133,  its  capital  city, 
at  an  altitude  of  2,162  meters,  bearing  the  same  name. 

Boundaries.  The  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  Vera- 
cruz, on  the  south  by  Oaxaca  and  Guerrero,  and  on  the  west  by  More- 
los,  Mexico,  and  Hidalgo,  its  area  being  31,616  square  kilometer-. 

Topography.  -The  general  topographical  aspect  is. mountainous,  the 
principal  peaks  being  Popocatepetl  and  Ixtatzihnatl.  the  volcanoes  of 
San  Andres  and  l'erote,  and  the  mountain  ranges  Iluauchinango, 
Zacathin.  Zacapoaxtle.  Tezuithin.  and  Mixtecas.  The  most  important 
plains  are  San  Juan  de  los  Llanos,  Chalchicomula.  Tecamachalco, 
Tepeaca,  Tepeji,  and  the  principal  valleys  those  of  Texuclucan,  Atlixco 
and  Puebla. 

Hydrography. —  Among  the  rivers  may  be  named  the  Atoyac  and  its 
tributaries,  the  Vinasco,  Pantepec,  Cazones,  Zempoala,  and  Mecaxa, 
the  latter  forming,  in  the  district  of  Huauchinango,  a  beautiful  cascade 
162  meters  high.  There  are  four  lakes,  called  Quecholac,  Tlachichica, 
Epatlan,  and  Tepchuayo. 

( limatt  .—The  climate  shows  varying  degrees  of  temperature,  being 
temperate  on  the  plains,  hot  in  the  south,  and  cold  in  the  northern 
districts. 

Fauna  and  flora, — The  fauna  and  flora  present  the  same  general 
characteristics  peculiar  to  other  States  of  the  Republic. 

Resources.  Agriculture  is  the  leading  industry,  the  chief  products 
being  cereals,  sugar  cane,  coffee,  vanilla,  and  delicious  fruits  of  all 
kinds.  Official  figures  for  1897  credit  the  State  with  483  plantations, 
divided  as  follows:  Three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  devoted  to  cereals, 
67  to  sugar  cane,  26  to  maguey  pulque,  14  to  coffee,  6  to  tobacco,  and 
42  to  cattle  raiding.  The  production  for  1902  is  given,  officially,  as 
follows:  Rice.  2,112,625  kilos  at  Slot*. (Hi);  barley.  505,517  hectoliters 
at  11,328,180;  corn  to  the  value  of  §6,332,746,  and  wheat  i*l.!>12.473; 
sugar  cane  products  (direct).  £3,044.613:  rum,  $820,000;  maguey 
products.  K475.000;  textile  fibers.  *14,0UO;  coffee.  8223,000;  tobacco, 
$57,260;  vanilla.  $21,000. 

Mining.  The  principal  minerals  found  are  gold,  silver,  and  copper, 
marble  also  existing  in  large  quantities.  During  the  year  ending 
December  31,  1902,  there  were  152  mining  claims  registered,  covering 
■an  area  of  1,967  hectares.  The  output  of  14  mines  in  operation 
during  the  same  period  is  officially  given  as  47,604,000  kilos,  with  a 
value  of  $600,000. 

Trade. — The  commerce  of  the  State  is  characterized  by  the  same 


QUERETARO.  127 

features  as  that  of  other  States  of  the  Republic,  the  exports  consisting 
principally  of  agricultural  products,  and  the  imports  of  manufactured 
articles  of  common  utility. 

Communications. — In  addition  to  several  wagon  roads,  the  means  of 
intercommunication  in  the  State  consist  of  a  branch  line  of  the  Mexi- 
can Railroad  from  Puebla  to  Apizaco;  the  Interoceanic,  connecting 
the  State  capital  with  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  the  Matamoros  line. 
Telegraph,  telephone,  and  mail  services  arc  efficient. 

Industries. — The  manufacturing  industries  are  similar  in  the  main 
to  those  of  the  other  Mexican  States. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  21  districts,  subdivided  into 
municipalities.  Geographically  the  districts  may  be  grouped  as 
follows: 

Northern  group:  Embracing  Alatriste,  population,  32,366;  Huauchi- 
nango,  70,312;  Tetela,  34,564;  Tezuitlan,  31,017;  Tlatlauquitepec, 
21,792;  Zacapoaxtla.  32,853;  and  Zacatlan,  65,962;  their  principal 
cities  are  Chiguanapam,  Huauchinango,  Xicotepec,  Tetela,  Tequitlan, 
Tlatlanqui,  Zacapaxtle  and  Zacatlan. 

Central  group:  Atlixco,  population,  53,304;  Cholula,  49,231;  Huejot- 
zingo,  49,325;  San  Juan  de  los  Llanos,  32,168;  Chalchicomula,  70,984; 
Puebla,  109,432;  Tecali,  28,860,  and  Tepeaca,  42.656.  The  principal 
towns  are  Atlixco,  which  is  an  important  town  on  the  Matamoros  and 
Puebla  Railroad,  containing  some  fine  public  buildings,  cotton  mills, 
and  other  industrial  establishments;  San  Pedro  Cholutla,  Huejotzingo, 
on  the  Interoceanic  line;  San  Pedro  de  los  Llanos,  on  the  same  line; 
San  Andres  Chalchicomula,  on  the  Mexican  Railway:  Tecali,  Tepecaca, 
and  Puebla,  the  capital,  containing  93,521  inhabitants.  This  latter  is 
one  of  the  oldest  and  most  important  cities  of  the  State,  possessing 
many  handsome  buildings,  among  others  the  Cathedral  and  several 
churches,  the  State  college,  containing  over  24,000  volumes:  the  Palace 
of  Justice,  the  School  of  Medicine,  and  the  "Palafoxiana"  Library, 
with  more  than  1.00,000  volumes:  the  Palace  of  Congress,  the  Episco- 
pal Palace,  several  hospitals,  the  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  a  chamber  of 
commerce,  and  branches  of  the  Banco  Nacional,  Banco  Oriental,  and 
the  Banco  de  Londres  y  Mexico,  and  three  theaters.  The  city  is  one 
of  the  most  important  in  the  Republic  by  reason  of  its  commerce  and 
industries,  possessing  several  cotton  and  woolen  mills,  glass  factories. 
and  other  establishments. 

Southern  group:  Acatlan,  population.  46,364;  Chiautla,  38,807; 
Matamoros,  37,573;  Tehuacan,  78,129;  Tepexi,  47,533,  and  Tecama- 
chalco,  47,901;  the  principal  towns  of  which  bear  the  same  names. 

QUERilTARO. 

The  State  of  Queretaro-Arteaga,  population  232,389,  whose  capital 

city  is  Querctaro.  1;836  meters  above  the  the  sea.  population  33,152, 


L28  mexioo. 

i>  one  of  the  smallest  in  the  Mexican  Republic,  rich  in  minerals,  well 
irrigated,  and  prosperous. 

Boundaries.  Its  boundaries  are  San  Luis  Potosi  on  the  north, 
Hidalgo  on  tin"  cast  and  northeast,  Mexico  to  the  southeast,  Michoa- 
can  on  the  south,  and  Guanajuato  on  the  west.  The  area  is  estimated 
at  11,0:58  s(|iiare  kilometers. 

Topography,  Topographically  the  State  may  be  divided  into  two 
regions,  the  northern  portion  being  mountainous,  the  ranees  extend- 
ing toward  the  center,  while  the  central  and  southern  sections  are 
occupied  by  plains  and  valleys.  In  the  north  arc  the  Sierra  Gordo 
Mountains,  running  from  west  to  east,  these  mountains  being  also 
known  as  the  Sierra  de  Querctaro.  Among  the  peaks  are  the  Cerro 
Alto,  Cerro  Colgado,  Cerro  del  Campanario,  Pildn.  Santa  Rosa.  Cima- 
tario,  Minteji,  and  the  historic  Cerro  de  las  Campanas,  where  Maxi- 
milian, Mi  ram  on,  and  Mexfa  were  shot. 

.  Hydrography. — Querctaro  is  irrigated  by  a  large  number  of  rivers 
and  smaller  streams,  the  principal  being  the  Coned  or  Jalpan,  empty- 
ing into  the  Ayutla;  the  Extoraz,  the  Moctezuma,  the  Galinda, 
Querctaro.  Juriquilla,  and  their  tributaries.  There  are  several  small 
lakes,  the  principal  being  Cerro  Grande.  Condi,  Sancillo,  andSaledon; 
also  many  swamps  and  mineral  springs. 

Climate. — Climatic  conditions  vary  with  the  altitudes.  Rainfall 
and  frosts  are  moderate,  and  the  winds  arc  variable.  The  prevailing 
diseases  are  malarial  and  other  fevers;  also  affections  of  the  respira- 
tory and  digestive  organs. 

Fauna  and  flora.— The  fauna  and  flora  possess  the  same  general 
characteristics  as  do  those  of  the  other  Mexican  States,  being  varied 
and  abundant. 

Resources.  The  State  of  Querctaro  occupies  a  very  fertile  region, 
producing  all  kinds  of  cereals,  leguminous  plants,  fruits,  etc.,  SO  that 
agriculture  is  the  principal  industry.  Cotton,  sugar  cane,  and  wheat 
are  also  cultivated,  the  latter  yielding  LOO  grains  to  the  seed  and  being 
considered  the  best  in  the  Republic.  In  L897  the  number  of  planta- 
tions in  the  State  were  according  to  official  figures,  L95;  of  which  179 
were  devoted  to  the  culture  of  cereals.  9  to  maguey  mescal.  2  to  sugar 
cane,  and  5  to  cattle  breeding.  The  yearly  product  of  these  industries 
was  estimated  in  the  following  values  for  L902:  Cereals,  $2,952,165; 
maguey  products.  L8,000  hectoliters,  at  |68,800;  ixtb,  41,290  kilo- 
grams, at  $5,294,  and  tobacco.  $1,500.  Stock  may  be  estimated  at  a 
value  of  about  $2,500,000. 

Mining. — Minerals  abound  throughout  the  entire  State.  Cadereyta 
and  Tollman  being  the  richest  mining  regions.  The  principal  products 
are  silver,  galena,  copper,  iron,  cinnabar,  mercury,  coal,  and  lead, 
while  among  the  precious  stones  are  opals,  garnets,  and  similar 
deposit-.     There  arc  59  mines  in  the  Cadereyta  district.  8  in  Toliman, 


QUERETARO.  129 

and  35  in  Jalpan.  There  are  ovrer  20  establishments  for  the  reduction 
of  ores,  all  of  which,  however,  are  not  in  operation.  Official  data  for 
1902  give  the  number  of  claims  registered  to  December  31,  at  119, 
covering  an  area  of  1,877  hectares,  while  the  number  of  mines  in 
operation  at  that  date  was  14,  the  output  being  estimated  at  4,327,000 
kilos  with  a  value  of  $150,000. 

Trade. — The  trade  of  the  State  may  be  estimated  at  from  9,000,000 
to  10,000,000  pesos  per  annum.  This  is  carried  on  principally  with 
the  neighboring  States,  corn,  wheat,  and  other  cereals,  fruits,  jerked 
beef,  etc.,  being  sent  thither,  and  mineral  products  shipped  to  the 
United  States.  The  imports  follow  the  same  general  line  as  the 
imports  of  the  other  Mexican  States,  most  of  them  coming  from 
the  United  States,  Europe,  and  Mexico  Cit}r ,  and  are  estimated  at  a 
value  of  about  $5,000,000,  exports  being  calculated  at  $4,000,000. 

Communications. — The  Mexican  Central  Railroad  traverses  the 
State  from  southeast  to  west  for  an  extent  of  95  kilometers,  and  has 
several  stations.  The  various  districts  also  are  crossed  by  tramways, 
and  good  wagon  roads  are  abundant,  the  mail,  telegraph,  and  telephone 
services  being  especially  efficient. 

Industries. — In  addition  to  agriculture  and  mining,  such  industries 
as  linen,  woolen,  and  cotton-goods  manufactories,  Hour  mills,  distill- 
eries, breweries,  paper  mills,  etc.,  flourish. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  6  districts,  subdivided  into 
municipalities.     The  districts  are: 

Jalpan,  population  35,096,  which  is  a  rich  mining  section,  and  whose 
principal  town  is  Jalpan,  situated  127  kilometers  from  the  capital  of 
the  State,  Queretaro. 

Cadereyta,  population  26,082,  the  richest  mining  district  of  the 
entire  State;  the  chief  town,  Cadereyta  Mendez,  is  76  kilometers  from 
Queretaro. 

San  Juan  del  Rio,  population  40,517;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the 
same  name  and  having  a  population  of  8,224,  is  situated  59  kilometers 
from  Queretaro,  on  the  Central  Railroad,  and  is  the  second  city  of  the 
State.     A  line  of  street  cars  traverses  the  town. 

Toliman,  population  28,017;  its  chief  town  Tollman,  or  San  Pedro 
de  Toliman,  117  kilometers  from  Queretaro,  is  noted  for  its  opals. 

Queretaro,  or  Distrito  del  Centro,  population  79,385,  the  chief  town 
of  which  is  Queretaro,  1,836  meters  above  the  sea.  also  the  capital  of 
the  State,  situated  246  kilometers  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  con- 
taining 33,152  inhabitants.  Besides  its  great  commercial  importance, 
this  city  is  perhaps  the  most  interesting,  historically,  in  Mexico,  hav- 
ing been  the  cradle  of  Mexican  independence,  the  residence  of  the 
Executive  during  the  war  with  the  United  States,  and  the  place  where 
the  peace  treaty  was  signed  in  1848;  also  the  last  refuge  of  Maximilian 
and  the  place  of  his  execution.  The  principal  buildings  are  the  Fed- 
509a— 04 9 


L30  MEXICO. 

end  Palace,  the  Government  Palace  (both  built  of  basalt),  the  Muni- 
cipal Palace,  the  custom-house,  the  cathedral  and  other  churches,  sev- 
eral hospitals,  the  historic  "  [turbide"  Theater,  a  bank,  a  chamber  of 
commerce,  and  the  ball  ring.  An  excellent  aqueduct,  *  kilometers  in 
Length,  furnishes  the  supply  of  water,  and  several  cotton  and  woolen 
mills,  and  other  industrial  enterprises  arc  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
The  town  next  in  importance  in  the  district  La  Hercules,  notable  on 
account  of  the  Hercules  Mills,  the  largest  textile  factory  in  the 
Republic. 

Amealco,  population  23,292,  with  a  chief  town  of  the  same  name 
situated  67  kilometers  from  Que  n't  a  ro. 

SAN    LUIS    POTOSf. 

The  State  of  San  Luis  de  Potosi,  population  575,432,  or  9.25  inhab- 
itants per  square  kilometer,  the  capital  of  which  is  the  city  of  the  same 
name,  at  an  altitude  of  1,877  meters,  and  a  population  of  61,000,  is  one 
of  the  important  sections  of  the  country. 

Boundaries.  -The  State  lies  between  22  and  25c  north  latitude  and 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State  of  Coahuila;  on  the  east  by  the 
States  of  Nuevo  Leon.  Tamaulipas,  and  Veracruz;  on  the  southeast  by 
the  State  of  Jalisco:  on  the  south  by  the  States  of  Hidalgo,  Queretaro. 
and  Guanajuato,  and  on  the  west  by  the  State  of  Zacatecas.  The 
Tropic  of  Cancer  passes  through  the  northern  part  of  this  State  at  a 
point  about  23  kilometers  to  the  south  of  the  famous  mining  district  of 
Catorce. 

( Inmate. — The  climate  is  mild.  It  varies  somewhat  according  to  the 
elevation,  cool  weather  occurring  in  the  higher  altitudes  during  the 
winter  months,  and  warm  weather  prevailing  at  all  seasons  of  the  year 
in  the  lower  ones. 

Topography. — The  State  is  traversed  from  north  to  south  by  the 
Sierra  Madre  range  and  is  very  mountainous,  especially  in  the  eastern 
portion.  The  central  and  western  parts  consist  of  the  (derated  table- 
land, which  extends  from  north  to  south  through  that  portion  of  the 
Mexican  Republic.  The  greater  part  of  this  table-land  is  exceedingly 
dry,  but  where  water  can  be  obtained  for  irrigation  purposes  the  soil 
proves  to  be  fertile  and  productive. 

Hydrography. — The  southeastern  portion  is  well  watered  and  con- 
tains numerous  running  streams,  some  of  them  of  considerable  volume 
and  importance.  The  principal  rivers  are  the  Tantojon  and  Tamuin, 
which  flow  into  the  Panuco  River. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  flora  of  the  State  of  San  Luis 
Potosi  are  in  all  respects  as  rich  and  varied  as  those  of  any  other  Mexican 
section. 

Resources. — Agriculture,  stock  raising,  and  mining  are  the  principal 
resources  of  the  State,  agricultural  products  being  exceedingly  varied. 


SAN    LUIS    POTOSI.  131 

and,  where  properly  irrigated,  the  rich  soil  produces  abundant  crops. 
According  to  Mexican  official  statistics,  San  Luis  Potosi  contained,  in 
1897,  196  large  plantations,  3  of  which  were  devoted  exclusively  to 
the  cultivation  of  coffee,  39  to  sugar  cane,  139  to  cereals,  and  15  to 
the  products  of  the  century  or  maguey  plant.  The  "Anuario  Estadis- 
tico"  for  1902  credits  the  State  with  the  following  agricultural  prod- 
ucts: Cereals  (rice,  barley,  corn,  and  wheat)  to  the  value  of  $5,637,085; 
sugar  cane  products,  rum  excepted,  -1,129,816  kilos,  valued  at  $296,210; 
rum,  36,500  hectoliters,  at  $643,113;  maguey  products  (mescal  and 
pulque),  51,270  hectoliters,  at  $556,600;  textile  fibers  (ixtle  and  cotton), 
3,773,992  kilograms,  valued  at  $546,000. 

Stock  raising  in  San  Luis  Potosi  is  in  a  nourishing  and  prosperous 
condition,  and  some  authorities  claim  that  it  is  the  most  important 
industry  of  the  State,  exceeding  in  value  the  agricultural  industry. 
In  addition  to  the  large  native  herds  which  the  State  possesses,  thou- 
sands of  cattle  are  brought  in  annually  from  the  neighboring  States  of 
Nuevo  Leon,  Coahuila,  and  Tamaulipas  to  graze  and  fatten  upon  the 
grassy  plains  of  the  table-lands  and  mountain  slopes.  When  considered 
to  be  in  a  marketable  condition,  the  beef  cattle  are  separated  from  the 
herds,  driven  to  the  railway  stations,  and  shipped  to  the  Cit}r  of  Mexico, 
and  other  large  distributing  centers  of  the  Republic.  There  are  some 
thirty  large  ranches  in  the  State  devoted  exclusively  to  the  raising  of 
cattle. 

Mining. — The  mineral  wealth  of  the  State  is  very  great.  The  great 
mining  district  of  Catorce  is  famous  the  world  over  for  its  enormous 
deposits  of  silver  ores.  Immense  quantities  of  high  and  low  grade 
ores  are  taken  from  the  rich  mines  of  this  district  annually.  Some  of 
these  mines  have  been  worked  more  than  fifty  years  without  exhausting 
the  supply  of  ore,  and  are  still  great  producers.  The  argentiferous 
ores  of  this  district  contain  a  considerable  percentage  of  lead,  which 
adds  to  their  value  and  desirability  for  smelting  purposes.  The 
immense  output  is  shipped  to  the  smelters  at  San  Luis  Potosi,  Agnas- 
calientes,  and  Monterey  for  treatment.  A  large  number  of  other  min- 
erals are  mined  in  different  parts  of  the  State.  The  principal  mining 
districts  are:  Catorce,  Matehuala,  Cedral,  San  Luis  Guadalcazar,  and 
Salinas.  Silver,  lead,  and  copper  ores  are  found  in  these  districts  in 
great  abundance.  Cinnabar  is  mined  at  Santa  Maria  del  Rio,  Gua- 
dalcazar, and  Salinas;  copper  at  Matehuala,  and  gold  at  Guadalcazar. 
The  value  of  the  annual  silver  production  of  the  mines  of  the  State  is 
estimated  at  $3,000,000  Mexican  silver.  There  are  numerous  salt 
deposits  in  this  State,  the  largest  and  most  important  being  situated  at 
Pefion  Blanco,  on  the  Mexican  Central  Railway.  The  works  at  this 
place  produce  thousands  of  tons  of  fine  salt  annually.  The  number  of 
mining  claims  registered  to  December  31,  1902,  was  337,  covering  an 
area  of  7,561  hectares,  while  the  number  of  mines  in  operation  during 


132  MEXICO. 

the  sauie  period  is  officially  given  at  32,  with  a  total  output  of  88,018,014 
kilos,  valued  at  $3,323,152.  During  the  .same  year  the  Federal  assay 
at  San  Luis  Potosi  treated  gold  and  silver  t<>  the  value  of  $39,000  for 
coining  purposes,  and  to  the  value  of  (5,816,400  for  export. 

Trade. — The  principal  exports  are  to  the  United  States,  and  consist 
of  goatskins,  hones  for  the  manufacture  of  phosphorus,  fruits  from 
the  Rio  Verde  regioo  shipped  to  St.  Louis,  ami  cattle  which  are 
exported  to  Cuba. 

Communications.-  A  branch  of  the  Mexican  Central  Railway  trav- 
erses the  State  from  east  to  west.  This  branch  line  connects  with  the 
main  line  of  the  Mexican  Central  Railway  at  a  point  near  the  city  of 
Aguascalientes,  in  the  State  of  the  same  name.  Its  total  length  C  <'>7s 
kilometers,  about  two-thirds  of  which  is  in  the  State  of  San  Luis 
Potosi.  This  branch  railway  passes  through  San  Luis  Potosi,  the 
capital  of  the  State,  and  terminates  at  the  port  of  Tampico,  in  the  State 
of  Tamaulipas.  The  main  line  of  the  Mexican  National  Railway 
crosses  the  Slate  from  north  to  south,  placing  both  the  State  and  city 
of  San  Luis  Potosi  in  direct  communication,  via  Laredo,  Tex.,  with 
the  United  States.  The  Mexican  National  passes  through  the  impor- 
tant cities  of  Monterey,  State  of  Nuevo  Leon;  Saltillo.  State  of  Coa- 
huila,  and  the  city  of  San  Luis  Potosi.  terminating  in  the  City  of 
Mexico,  the  capital  of  the  Republic.  The  principal  stations  of  the 
Mexican  National  in  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi  are  the  city  of  San 
Luis  Potosi,  Venado,  and  Catorce.  The  Mexican  Central  Railway, 
in  addition  to  passing  through  the  capital  of  the  State,  runs  through 
the  important  mining  and  commercial  centers  of  Salinas.  Guadalcazar, 
Cerritos,  Cardenas,  ami  Yalle.  There  are  two  other  railway  lines. 
both  short.  One  extends  from  Matehuala  to  La  Pa/,  a  distance  of  i'l 
kilometers,  while  the  other  is  known  as  the  Vanegas,  Cedral  and 
Matehuala  Railroad,  and  connects  Vanegas,  a  station  of  the  Mexican 
National  Railway,  with  Matehuala,  the  Length  of  the  line  being  47 
kilometers.  These  two  short  railways  penetrate  one  of  the  richest 
mining  districts  of  tin4  Republic,  ami  transport  annually  thousands  of 
tons  of  ore  consigned  to  the  different  smelters  of  the  State.  Gener- 
ally speaking,  the  State  highways  are  good,  but  the  roads  which 
cross  the  mountains  are  mere  trails  and  in  many  places  are  almosl 
impassible. 

Industries. — San  Luis  Potosi  contains  one  of  the  largest  furniture 
factories  in  the  Republic.  This  factory  is  very  complete  and  its  prod- 
ucts are  to  be  found  in  many  of  the  Mexican  cities.  Almost  all  the 
wood  used  comes  from  the  United  States.  This  seenls  unusual  in  a 
country  so  rich  in  cabinet  woods,  but  it  is  owing  to  the  fact  that 
mahogany  and  the  other  fine  woods  of  Tabasco  and  Chiapas  can  not 
be  worked  until  thev  are  seasoned,  which  takes  considerable  time.     As 


SAN   LUIS    POTOSI. 


133 


the  shops  of  San  Luis  Potosi  do  not  keep  a  sufficiently  large  stock  on 
hand,  they  prefer  to  buy  the  seasoned  wood  in  the  United  States. 
Walnut  lumber  is  principally  employed  for  the  fine  furniture.  The 
other  industries  of  the  city  are  cotton-goods  factories,  tanneries, 
breweries,  etc. 

Divisions. — The  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi  is  divided  into  thirteen 
districts,  the  name  and  population  of  each  being  as  follows: 


Catorce 

Cerritos 

Ciudad  del  Maiz 
Guadalcazar  . . . . 

Hidalgo 

Bio  Verde 

Salinas 

San  Luis  Potosi . 


Popula- 
tion. 


70,  899 
30, 792 
31,172 
30, 263 
41,094 
41, 517 
12,319 
144,101 


Name. 


Santa  Maria  del  Rio. . 

Tamanzunehale 

Tancanhuitz 

Valles 

Venado 

Total 


Popula- 
tion. 


38, 267 
36, 266 
40, 960 
22,001 
32, 792 


575,432 


San  Luis  Potosi,  the  capital  of  the  State,  has  a  population  of  61,019 
inhabitants,  and  is  located  1,887  meters  above  sea  level.  It  is  one  of 
the  principal  smelting  and  commercial  centers  of  the  Republic.  Hun- 
dreds of  tons  of  ore  are  smelted  daily  in  the  large  reduction  works 
situated  in  the  suburbs  of  this  city.  Thousands  of  workmen  are 
employed  in  the  handling  of  ores,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dol- 
lars are  paid  out  to  them  annually  in  the  form  of  wages.  The  city 
contains  many  large  and  handsome  public  buildings,  churches,  and 
schools,  and  has  one  of  the  finest  theaters  in  the  .Republic.  It  is  a 
healthful  community,  the  climate  is  salubrious,  but  little  rain  falls, 
and  the  atmosphere  is  clear  and  dry.  The  water  supply  is  at  present 
somewhat  deficient,  but  steps  are  being  taken  for  the  construction  of 
large  reservoirs  in  the  neighboring  hills  to  remedj^  this  defect.  Con- 
siderable manufacturing  is  done  at  San  Luis  Potosi,  the  principal 
products  being  soap  and  candles,  pottery  wares,  hats,  paints,  cigars 
and  cigarettes,  beer,  etc.  There  is  a  chamber  of  commerce,  a  Federal 
assay  office,  three  large  banking  institutions,  and  a  Board  of  Trade. 

In  11)02  San  Luis  Potosi  had  173  State  and  162  municipal  schools 
devoted  to  primary  education.  The  Government  also  maintains  sev- 
eral institutions  of  higher  education,  the  principal  school  being  the 
Scientific  and  Literary  Institute,  located  at  the  capital  of  the  State, 
which  has  an  able  corps  of  professors  and  is  otherwise  well  equipped. 

The  other  large  towns  of  the  State  are  shown  in  the  following 
table: 


Name. 


Catorce  . . . 
Cedral 
Matehuala 
Rio  Verde . 


Name. 


Santa  Maria  del  Rio. . . 
Soledad  Diez  Gutierrez 
Venado 


Popula- 
tion. 


8,440 
5,730 
5,750 


134  MEXICO. 

SINALOA. 

The  State  of  Sinaloa,  population  296,701,  whoso  capital  city  is  Onlia- 
ean,  40  meters  above  the  sea  level,  population  10,380,  is  one  of  the 
rich  mining  and  agricultural  sections  of  the  Mexican  Republic. 

Boundaries. — It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Sonora  and  Chihuahua, 
on  the  east  by  Chihuahua  and  Durango,  on  the  south  by  the  Territory 
of  Tepic  and  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia. Its  area  is  about  71,380  square  kilometers, and  its  seacoast 
measures  510  kilometers. 

Situation. — The  Gulf  of  California  extents  along  the  coast  of  the 
State  from  Agiabampo  Bay  to  the  south  of  Mazatlan,  at  which  point 
the  Pacific  coast  line  begins.  Numerous  bays  and  harbors  are  formed 
by  the  waters  of  the  gulf,  the  principal  being  the  hay  of  Topolobampo, 
on  which  is  situated  the  port  of  the  same  name,  generally  considered 
to  be  the  best  on  the  Pacific  coast  by  reason  of  its  sheltered  location. 
There  are  also  the  bays  of  Olas  Altas,  Mazatlan,  Agiobampo,  San 
Ignacio,  Navachiste,  and  others  indenting  the  literal  of  the  State,  and 
forming  small  interior  bays,  in  whose  waters  appear  the  Islands  of 
Mero,  San  Felipe,  and  Pajaros.  Other  islands  along  the  coast  are 
Saliaca,  Altamura,  Lobos,  San  Ignacio, Guinorama,  Macapule,  Cluendo, 
and  Cuestion. 

Topography. — The  general  topographical  condition  of  the  State  [s 
mountainous,  the  land  rising  gradually  from  the  gulf  coast  to  the 
Sierra  Madre  Mountains,  which  traverse  Sinaloa  north  and  soutb  and 
constitute  the  principal  range  of  the  section.  Others  are  the  Sanabari 
Mountains,  the  Gacopira,  Aguablanca,  Cosald,  Guadalupe  de  los  Reyes, 
Tasajera,  Navachiste,  Cuitaboa,  and  Tescalama.  These  systems 
em))race  several  peaks  and  plateaus. 

Hydrography. — Sinaloa  is  one  of  the  best  irrigated  sections  of  the 
Republic,  many  of  its  rivers,  such  as  the  Fuerte  and  Sinaloa,  being 
navigable.  Nearly  all  the  streams  rise  in  the  Sierra  Madre  and  empty 
into  the  Gulf  of  California,  the  principal  being  the  Fuerte,  670  kilo- 
meters in  length;  the  Sinaloa,  420  kilometers;  the  Moscorite,  108  kilo- 
meters; the  Culiaean,  252  kilometers;  the  Quila,  L56  kilometers;  the 
Elota,  221  kilometers;  the  Piaxtle,  203  kilometers;  the  Presidio  or 
Mazatlan,  107  kilometers;  the  Chametla  or  Rosario,  165  kilometers, 
and  the  Canoas  or  Telapan,  152  kilometers.  These  rivers  all  have 
numerous  tributaries,  and  there  are  in  addition  over  200  smaller  streams 
traversing  the  State. 

Climate. — Climatically  the  State  may  be  divided  into  two  regions: 
The  western,  or  hot  belt,  which  is  also  the  maritime  section,  devoted 
to  agriculture,  and  the  eastern,  or  cold  belt,  which  is  the  mountainous 
district,  devoted  to  mining.  Rains  are  abundant  on  the  coast,  and  in 
the  mountains  the  precipitation  is  excessive,  frost  also  being  of  frequent 
occurrence.     Winds  are  variable,  the  northeastern  predominating. 


SINALOA.  135 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  flora  partake  of  the  same  char- 
acteristics as  the  majority  of  Mexican  States. 

Resources. — -The  principal  agricultural  products  are  cereals,  cotton, 
tobacco,  sugar  cane,  coffee,  and  fruits,  their  total  valuation  being 
about  $8,000,000  per  annum.  According  to  Mexican  official  figures, 
in  1897  there  were  121  plantations  in  the  State,  divided  as  follows: 
Cotton,  9;  sugar  cane,  20;  cereals,  20;  maguey  mescal,  24;  and  48 
cattle  ranches.  The  estimated  value  of  these  products  for  1902  is  as 
follows,  in  round  figures:  Cereals,  $2,000,000;  sugar-cane  products 
(direct),  7,919,225  kilograms,  at  $1,575,900;  mescal,  $180,000;  tobacco, 
$32,000;  and  ixtle,  $30,000.  Stock  raising  has  an  estimated  value  of 
about  $9,000,000  a  year. 

Mining. — It  is  claimed  that  Sinaloa  is  the  richest  mining  region  of 
Mexico,  the  standard  of  its  production  being  higher  than  that  of 
Guanajuato,  Zacatecas,  and  Pachuca.  The  mining  district  lies  in  the 
east  of  the  State,  gold,  silver,  copper,  iron,  and  lead  being  the  prin- 
cipal metals.  The  number  of  mining  claims  registered  in  1902  was 
711,  covering  5,903  hectares,  while  the  total  output  of  the  State  is 
estimated  at  138,225,108  kilos,  valued  at  $5,159,000.  The  number  of 
mines  in  operation  was  80.  There  are  also  rich  salt  deposits,  mineral 
springs,  etc.  Culiacan  Rosales  contains  fine  reduction  works  and  a 
mint. 

Trade.  —  An  active  import  and  export  trade  is  carried  on  through 
the  port  of  Mazatlan,  manufactured  articles  of  all  kinds  being  received 
in  return  for  minerals  and  other  native  products.  Altata  and  Ma- 
zatlan are  the  two  customs  ports.  Imports  in  1901-2  are  valued  at 
about  $1,760,000,  and  exports,  $7,214,000,  while  the  total  trade, 
including  local  traffic,  amounts  to  from  18,000,000  to  19,000,000  pesos 
per  annum. 

Communications. — The  Sinaloa  and  Durango  Railway,  also  called 
the  Western  Mexican,  has  several  stations  between  Altata  and  Culia- 
can de  Rosales,  and  the  International  is  constructing  a  branch  line 
from  Villa  Lerdo  (Durango)  to  Topolobampo,  in  addition  to  the  Tepic 
road,  which  is  to  traverse  the  coast.  There  are  tramways  in  the  city 
of  Mazatlan  and  many  fine  wagon  roads  connecting  the  principal 
towns  with  those  of  the  adjacent  States.  Coastwise  trade  is  carried 
on  by  several  steamship  lines,  while  the  Pacific  Mail  and  the  Mexican 
International  line  furnish  communication  with  foreign  countries.  The 
telegraphic,  telephonic,  and  mail  services  are  efficient  and  extensive. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  politically  divided  into  10  districts,  subdi- 
vided into  directorias,  as  follows: 

El  Fuerte,  population  45,530,  with  a  chief  town  of  the  same  name, 
230  kilometers  from  Culiacan,  the  State  capital. 

Sinaloa,  population  43,432;  its  chief  town  of  the  same  name  is  160 
kilometers  from  Culiacan. 


136  MEXICO. 

Mocorito,  population  28,628,  the  chief  town  of  which,  bearing  the 
same  name,  is  situated  22  kilometers  from  Culiacan. 

Culiacan,  population  44,:-J44;  its  chief  town.  Culiacan  Rosales,  is 
also  the  capital  of  the  State,  containing  L0,380  inhabitants  and  situated 
1,478  kilometers  from  the  capital  of  the  Republic.  This  is  an  important 
commercial  center,  connected  with  the  port  of  Altata  by  a  railroad  62 
kilometers  in  length,  possessing  very  fine  public  buildings,  among 
others  the  Government  palace,  the  Mint,  the  total  coinage  of  which 
for  1002  was  gold  to  the  value  of  1158,496  and  silver  $8,301,744,  and 
the  Cathedral.  ( lotton  mills  and  other  industrial  establishments  flour- 
ish. Next  in  importance  is  the  city  of  Altata.  a  seaport  haying  a 
lar^e  maritime  movement.  It  is  provided  with  a  tine  wharf,  a  power- 
ful beacon  light,  and  a  custom-house. 

Cosahi.  population  21,399;  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same  name, 
i-.  L51  kilometers  from  Culiacan. 

San  Ignacio,  population  13,283,  with  a  chief  town  of  the  same  name 
situated  250  kilometers  from  Culiacan. 

Mazatlan,  population  38,298.  The  chief  ton  n,  Mazatlan,  population 
L7,852,  is  the  first  port  of  the  Republic,  situated  246  kilometers  from 
Culiacan  and  L,185  from  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  is  built  on  a  small 
peninsula  opposite  the  Bay  of  Olas  A  Has  and  contains  a  weather 
bureau,  a  tine  custom-house,  a  chamber  of  commerce,  three  banks, 
and  other  public  buildings,  and  a  system  of  tramways.  It  is  the  fore- 
most commercial  and  industrial  Mexican  town  on  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
the  residence  of  several  foreign  consuls,  and  the  touching  point  for 
the  steamship  lines  above  referred  to. 

Rosario,  population  27,047;  the  chief  town,  bearing  the  same  name. 
is  322  kilometers  from  Culiacan. 

Concordia,  population  17. si 7;  the  chief  town,  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  299  kilometers  from  Culiacan. 

Badiraguato,  population  16,923;  its  chief  town,  of  the  same  name, 
situated  7<i  kilometers  from  Culiacan. 

SONORA. 

The  State  of  Sonora,  population  i'2l. «;*•_>,  the  capital  city  of  which  is 
Hermosillo,  253  meters  altitude,  population  10,613,  is  one  of  the  most 
northern  of  the  Mexican  States,  and  is  on  the  United  States  border. 
In  size  it  is  the  second  State  in  the  Republic,  having  an  area  of  1.98,496 
square  kilometers. 

Boundaries.  -Its  boundaries  are:  On  the  north.  Arizona  and  New 
Mexico  (United  States);  on  the  east,  Chihuahua;  on  the  west,  the  Gulf 
of  California,  and  on  the  south,  Sinaloa. 

Situation.—  The  State  is  washed  by  the  Gulf  of  California  for  a 
distance  of  860  kilometers,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Colorado  River  to 
the  port  of  Agiabampo.     This  gulf  i-  L,190  kilometers  in  length  and 


SONORA.  137 

306  in  breadth,  at  its  widest  point.  The  Sonora  littoral,  which  is  low 
and  arid,  extends  in  a  line  almost  parallel  to  Lower  California,  a  pecu- 
liarity of  the  region  being  that  the  rain  falls  from  a  cloudless  and  serene 
sky.  Several  islands  lie  along  the  coast,  among  them  being  San  Pedro 
Nolasco,  San  Pedro  Martin,  Tiburon,  Patos,  San  Jorge,  and  Pelicano; 
as  well  as  many  capes,  bays,  etc.  Guaymas  is  the  principal  gulf  port 
of  the  State. 

Topography.— In  the  east  Sonora  is  traversed  by  the  Sierra  Madre 
Mountains,  from  which  extend  various  ramifications  forming  beautiful 
valleys,  ravines,  and  canyons.  The  principal  of  these  secondary 
chains  are  the  Sierras  Guadalupe,  San  Luis,  Batuco,  Alamos,  Antimez, 
Bacatete,  and  Prietas.  The  western  portion  is  flat,  and  the  largest 
valley  is  that  of  Guaymas. 

Hydrography. — The  principal  rivers,  all  of  which  empty  into  the 
Gulf  of  California,  are  the  Altar,  also  called  Asuncion  and  San  Igna- 
cio,  358  kilometers  in  length;  the  Yagui,  838  kilometers;  the  Mayo, 
293  kilometers;  the  Sonora,  410  kilometers,  and  the  Matope,  234 
kilometers.  There  are  other  streams  of  lesser  importance,  and  a  lake, 
called  San  Rafael. 

Climate. — The  climate  varies  according  to  the  altitude,  is  cold  in 
the  mountains,  temperate  on  the  slopes,  and  hot  and  dry  near  the 
coast  and  in  the  valle}Ts.  During  the  summer  season  the  thermometer 
reaches  98°  F.  in  Hermosillo,  and  in  Guaymas  it  has  gone  as  high  as 
119c.  The  minimum  temperature  for  the  winter  months  is  45°. 
Rainfall  is  moderate,  and  frost  occurs  occasionally  in  some  districts, 
more  especially  in  the  Sierra  Madre  regions. 

Fauna  ami  font. — The  fauna  and  flora  are  remarkable  for  their 
wealth  and  variety,  embracing  the  same  species  common  to  the  rest  of 
the  country.  The  Gulf  of  California  is  noted  for  its  fish  and  for  its 
pearl  oysters,  the  latter,  it  is  claimed,  yielding  gems  superior  to  those 
of  the  Gulf  of  Aden,  in  Asia. 

Resources.  Notwithstanding  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  a  lack  of  ade- 
quate irrigation  facilities,  in  certain  sections,  is  a  drawback  to  agri- 
cultural development.  The  principal  products  are  cereals,  tobacco, 
cotton,  sugar  cane,  fruits,  etc.  According  to  the  official  figures  for 
1897,  the  number  of  plantations  in  the  State  was  270,  divided  into: 
Sugar  cane,  4<>;  cereals,  179;  fruits,  3;  maguey  mescal,  8;  tobacco,  13, 
and  27  cattle  ranches.  The  State's  production  for  1902,  according  to 
official  figures,  was  as  follows:  Cereals  to  the  value  of  $3,961,906; 
sugar-cane  products,  200,000  kilograms,  at  $4<>.000;  mescal,  $710,000; 
tobacco,  238,557  kilograms,  at  $58,932. 

At  one  time  cattle  were  extensively  exported  to  the  United  States, 
but  owing  to  the  high  duties,  almost  prohibitory,  imposed  by  that 
country  this  branch  of  commerce  has  decreased. 


138  MEXICO. 

Wining. — Sonora  is  classed  not  only  among-  the  richest  mineral- 
producing  section-;  of  Mexico,  but  also  of  the  world,  the  leading  prod- 
ucts being  silver,  lead.  gold,  copper,  coal,  antimony,  iron,  cinnabar, 
and  graphite.  Exports  of  these  minerals  to  the  United  States  are 
estimated  at  a  value  of  from  L0,000,000  to  L2,000,000  pesos  per  annum. 
Although  many  of  the  mines  are  in  exploitation,  an  equal  number  are 
lying  idle.  In  the  year  ending  December  31,  l!*o-_>.  the  mining  claims 
registered  numbered  2,168,  embracing  an  area  of  35,894  hectares, 
while  the  total  production  of  the  144  mines  in  operation  during  that 
period  was  362,235,748  kilos,  valued  at  $41,144,000. 

Trade.  Owing  to  its  geographical  position  all  the  foreign  trade  of 
the  State  is  with  the  adjacent  State-  aiel  Territories  of  the  American 
Union,  while  its  home  trade  is  carried  on  with  Siualoa,  Chihuahua, 
and  Lower  California.  The  principal  exports  are  metals  and  metallic 
ores,  fruits,  hides  and  skins,  woods,  etc.,  to  the  United  States,  wheat, 
flour,  and  cotton  to  Sinaloa  and  Chihuahua,  pearls  to  Europe  and  the 
United  State-;  and  the  principal  imports  are  machinery  and  implements 
for  mining  and  agriculture,  silk,  cotton,  linen  and  woolen  goods,  wines 
and  liquors,  arms  and  ammunition,  and  hardware.  The  total  trade  of 
the  State  may  be  estimated  as  worth  from  6,000,000  to  8,000.ooo  pesos 
per  annum. 

Communications. — The  only  railway  traversing  the  State  is  the 
Guaymas  and  Nogales  (Sonora)  road,  422,302  kilometers  in  length. 
which,  in  Nogales  (Arizona),  connects  with  the  Southern  Pacific 
Railroad.  The  State  has  one  street  railway  3  kilometers  in  length. 
and  the  "  Inmris  Mining  Company,  Limited,"  owns  another  18  kilo- 
meters long,  and  three  concessions  have  been  granted.  Several  line 
wagon  roads  connect  the  different  cities  and  towns  with  those  of  the 
adjacent  States.  Telegraphic,  telephonic,  and  mail  services  are  effi- 
cient and  extended. 

Industries.     The  principal  industries  are  mining,  agriculture,  and 

commerce.  There  are  a  few  manufacturing  establishments,  such  as 
cotton  and  woolen  mills,  soap  and  candle  factories,  and  distilleries. 

Divisions.-  Sonora  is  divided  into  9  districts,  subdivided  into  munici- 
palities.    The  districts  and  their  chief  towns  are  as  follows: 

Altar,  population  1.3,229;  chief  town  El  Altar,  2.16  kilometer-^  from 
Hermosillo.     This  district  is  rich  in  mines. 

Magdalena,  population  15,568;  the  chief  town,  of  the  same  name, 
is  150  kilometers  from  Hermosillo.  The  second  town  in  importance 
is  Nogales,  on  the  boundary  Wna  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States, 
separated  from  the  American  town  of  the  same  name  by  a  street  only. 
It  is  the  terminal  point  of  the  Sonora  Railway  and  has  a  customs  port. 

Arizpe,  population  18,261,  also  rich  in  minerals;  its  chief  town,  of 
the  same  name,  is  219  kilometers  distant  from  Hermosillo. 


TABASCO.  139 

Moctezurna,  population  17,606,  rich  in  mines;  its  chief  town,  Moc- 
tezuma  or  Oposura,  is  185  kilometers  from  Hermosillo. 

Sahuaripa,  population  12,955,  a  mineral  district;  the  chief  town  of 
which,  of  the  same  name,  is  323  kilometers  from  Hermosillo. 

Alamos,  population  57,837,  a  mineral  district,  with  a  chief  town  of 
the  same  name,  which  is  the  third  city  in  the  State  and  situated  309 
kilometers  from  Hermosillo. 

Guaymas,  population  28,070,  also  a  mineral  district,  possessing 
excellent  coal  beds;  the  chief  town  of  which,  Guaymas,  8,618  inhabi- 
tants, is  one  of  the  most  important  commercial  ports  on  the  Pacific,  151 
kilometers  from  Hermosillo.     It  is  connected  by  rail  with  Nogales. 

Hermosillo,  population  32,562,  very  rich  in  mines;  chief  town, 
Hermosillo,  is  also  the  capital  of  the  State,  with  10,613  inhabitants, 
and  situated  2,527  kilometers  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  281  from 
Nogales,  and  lH  from  Guaymas.  This  city  has  many  fine  public 
buildings,  among  others  the  Federal  assay  office,  which  in  1902  assa}Ted 
gold  and  silver  for  coining  purposes  to  the  value  of  $70,000  and  for 
export  to  the  value  of  $370,000,  the  Cathedral,  a  library,  and  the  Gov- 
ernment Palace.    It  is  one  of  the  railroad  stations  of  the  Sonora  Line. 

Ures,  population  25,591;  chief  town  of  the  same  name  76  kilometers 
from  Hermosillo. 

TABASCO. 

The  State  of  Tabasco,  population  159,831,  whose  capital  city  is  San 
Juan  Bautista,  rising  from  11  to  27  meters  altitude,  population  10,513. 
lies  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  Republic. 

Boundaries. — Its  boundaries  are  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  on  the  north, 
the  State  of  Campeche  on  the  east,  Chiapas  on  the  south,  Veracruz  on 
the  west,  and  the  Republic  of  Guatemala  on  the  southeast.  Its  area  is 
26,091  square  kilometers. 

Situation. — On  the  Gulf  the  coast  line  of  the  State  extends  for  190 
kilometers,  and  is  low  and  healthful,  the  natural  depression  of  the  soil 
forming  several  lakes.  There  are  no  capes,  bays,  or  sheltered  harbors 
along  the  coast,  but  vessels  find  anchorage  in  the  mouths  of  the  rivers, 
called  bars,  the  principal  of  which  are  the  San  Pedro  and  San  Pablo, 
formed  by  the  river  bearing  that  name  at  the  boundary  between 
Tabasco  and  Campeche;  the  Tabasco,  Frontera,  or  Principal,  formed 
by  the  Grijalva,  giving  access  to  the  port  of  Frontera  and  the  capital 
of  the  State;  the  Chiltepec,  which  is  the  widest  and  deepest  of  all, 
formed  by  the  Gonzalez  River,  and  the  Tonala,  formed  by  the  river 
Tancochopa,  the  boundary  between  Tabasco  and  Veracruz. 

Topography.— The  surface  of  the  State  is  generally  a  plain,  slightly 
broken  by  hillocks  and  river  beds,  except  toward  the  south  and  south- 
east, where  a  spur  of  the  Sierra  Madre  rises.     The  highest  mountains 


140  MEXICO. 

are  the  txtapangajoya,  the  Oocona,  Puyacatengo,  Madrigal,  Quemado, 
Tortuguero,  Limon,  and  Chinal. 

Hydrography. — Of  all  the  State-  of  Mexico.  Tabasco  possesses  the 
besl  hydrographic  Bystem.  Two  large  basins,  the  Usumacinta  and  the 
Grijalva,  collect  the  innumerable  streams.  The  Usumacinta  River  is 
formed  by  the  junction  of  the  Pasion  and  Salina  rivers  (both  entering 
from  Guatemalan  territory),  and  is  afterwards  joined  by  the  waters  of 
the  Chajill,  .latate.  Lacant&n,  Cendales,  and  others.  This  river  is  800 
kilometers  in  length,  and  navigable  300  kilometers  from  it-  mouth  for 
good-sized  steamers.  The  Grijalva  River  is  formed  by  the  confluence 
of  the  Mexcalapa  and  the  Sierra,  or  Tacotalpa.  The  former  rise-  in 
the  State  of  Chiapas,  and  receives  throughout  its  extent  more  than  30 
streams,  and  is  navigable  for  L25  kilometer-.  The  Tacotalpa  also  takes 
its  source  in  Chiapas,  and  has  numerious  tributaries.  The  Grijalva 
proper  commences  with  the  junction  of  these  two  streams,  and 
empties  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  is  navigable  from  the  Frontera 
bar  a-  far  as  Las  Palmas,  a  distance  of  280  kilometers.  Other  rivers 
are  the  Ouxcuchopa,  navigable  for  60  kilometer-,  the  Soledad,  Coc- 
cohital,  Tular,  Tortuguero,  and  Tonala.  As  has  been  stated,  the  gen- 
eral character  of  the  land  being  a  plain,  with  little  -lope  seaward,  the 
rain  water-  form  many  lakes.  The  principal  are  Mat  ilia-.  <  !hichicastre, 
Zapote,  Viento,  Ramon.  Bernete,  Palo  Alio.  I >ull< ».  Largarten,  Encan- 
tada.  Yeladero,  Chimal,  and  Puerto  Cabello. 

Climate. — The  climate  is  hot.  tempered,  however,  by  the  numerous 
streams.  Rainfall  is  abundant,  and  the  temperature  during  the  sum- 
mer months  (February  to  May)  is  from  27  to  28  ( '.  (80  to  82  F.i. 
and  in  the  coolest  month-  (December  and  January)  the  mean  tempera- 
ture is  from  IT  to  L8  C.  (62  to  64  F.).  The  prevalent  diseases  are 
malarial  fevers  and  dysentery. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  flora  of  the  State  are  both  rich 
and  varied,  including  all  the  specie-  found  in  other  parts  of  the 
Republic  situated  in  the  same  zone. 

Resources.  Agriculture,  and  the  industries  directly  derived  from  it. 
constitute- the  source  of  future  development;  the  soil,  on  account  of 
it>  topography,  is  peculiarly  rich  in  spontaneous  vegetation.  The 
work"  from  which  the  data  referring  to  the  State  of  Tabasco  are 
obtained  -tale-  that  the  agricultural  production  amounts  in  value  to 
8,000,000  pesos  annually,  of  which  6,000,000  represents  the  home  con- 
sumption and  the  remainder  export  values.  Throughout  the  State 
20,000  men  are  engaged  in  farming,  6,000  of  whom  are  plantation 
owners.  The  leading-  products  are  cacao,  sugar  cane,  coffee,  tobacco, 
corn,  rice,  fruits,  rubber,  pepper,  vanilla,  cedar,  mahogany,  logwood, 
and  other  dye  and  cabinet  woods.     According  to  the  "Anuario  Esta- 

oResena  Econ6mica  del  Estado  de  Tabasco.     Alberto  Correa,  1899. 


TABASCO.  141 

distico"1  for  1897,  the  number  of  plantations  in  Tabasco  was  370, 
divided  as  follows:  Cacao,  124;  coffee,  S;  sugar  cane,  14;  cereals,  60; 
tobacco,  12,  and  122  cattle  ranches.  The  production  of  the  State  for 
1901-2  is  officially  quoted  as  follows:  Cereals  to  the  value  of  $1,300,000; 
sugar  cane  products,  except  rum,  2,588,000  kilos,  valued  at  $226,500; 
rum,  27,616  hectoliters,  at  $123,354;  logwood,  2,329,800  kilos,  at 
$65,000;  cacao,  $1,551,391;  coffee,  $120,000;  tobacco,  $50,000;  chicle 
gum,  $280,600. 

Stock  raising,  notwithstanding  the  great  facilities  offered  by  nature, 
is  not  as  flourishing  as  should  be,  the  number  of  cattle  being  esti- 
mated by  Correa  at  about  150,000  head. 

Mining. — Mining  receives  practically  no  attention,  no  precious  min- 
erals being  found  within  the  limits  of  the  State;  but  there  are  indica- 
tions of  deposits  of  coal,  asphaltum,  cinnabar,  and  petroleum. 

Trade. — Commerce  is  well  developed,  there  being,  according  to  the 
authority  above  cited,  500  commercial  houses,  representing  a  capital 
of  $4,000,000,  established  throughout  the  State.  Foreign  trade  through 
the  port  of  Frontera  during  1901-2  amounted  to  $116,000  silver  for 
imports  and  $271,354  for  exports.  A  large  share  of  the  trade  in  dye 
and  cabinet  woods  seems  to  be  carried  on  through  the  port  of  Carmen, 
amounting  in  value  to  $1,400,000,  which  would  increase  the  export 
trade  of  the  State  to  over  $1,600,000  yearly.  The  leading  articles  of 
export  are  dye  and  cabinet  woods,  hides  and  skins,  coffee,  tobacco, 
and  rubber.  Coastwise  and  local  trade  is  estimated  at  a  valuation  of 
$1,500,000  for  imports  and  $1,900,000  for  exports. 

Communications.  — Tabasco  has  no  steam  railways,  but  there  are 
three  lines  of  horse  cars,  one  from  San  Juan  Bautista  to  Carrizal, 
about  6  kilometers  in  length;  one  from  Cardenas  to  Paso  de  Cardenas 
on  the  Grijalva  River,  7  kilometers,  and  one  (the  Interfluvial)  between 
San  Juan  Bautista  and  Boca  Nueva,  6  kilometers  in  length.  Other 
lines  are  projected,  among  them  one  to  run  from  Cardenas  to  Barra 
de  Dos  Bocas,  80  kilometers,  and  another  from  Teapa  to  La  Ermita. 
Wagon  roads  and  mule  paths  lead  to  all  the  principal  centers,  and  there 
is  a  daily  improving  river  transit  system,  16  steamers  being  at  present 
employed  in  this  means  of  communication.  Efficient  and  extended 
telegraphic,  mail,  and  telephonic  service  is  available. 

Industries. — The  principal  manufacturing  industries  are  the  develop- 
ment of  sugar-cane  products,  yielding  over  $500,000  annually;  the 
manufacture  of  cigars  and  cigarettes,  and  the  production  of  brick, 
soap,  candles,  and  chocolate. 

Divisions. — Politically  the  State  is  divided  into  17  municipalities, 
subdivided  into  rural  districts  (  Vecvndarios  luixdes),  as  follows: 

Balancan,  population,  3,583;  Cardenas,  9,649;  Comacalco,  11,208; 
Cunduacan,  10,727;  Huimanguillo,  14,117:  Jalapa,  9,400;  Jalpa  de 
Mendez,  5,870;  Jonuta,  3,581;  Macuspana,  15,286;  Montecristo,  2,591, 


142  mixico. 

Naoajuca,  11,175;  Parafso,  5,478;  Taeotalpa.  6,065;  Toapa.  7.17:.': 
Tenosique,  3,984,  their  chief  towns  bearing  the  same  names;  also  Fron- 
tera,  population.  8,219,  and  San  Juan  Bautista,  31,729,  which  are  the 
principal  municipalities,  the  former  having,  as  the  capital,  the  port  of 
Frontera  and  the  latter,  San  Juan  Bautista.  which  i-  also  the  State 
capital,  containing  L0,543  inhabitants.  This  city  has  tramway  lines 
and  many  tine  buildings,  among  them  the  palace  of  the  legislative 
and  executive  powers,  hospitals,  a  theater,  and  three  churches. 

TAMAULIPAS. 

The  State  of  Tamaulipas.  population  218,948,  whose  capital  city  is 
Ciudad  Victoria,  449  meters  altitude,  population  L0,086,  is  a  favored 
land,  requiring  only  more  general  irrigation  and  capital  to  develop 
it-  immense  wealth. 

Boundaries. — The  State  is  hounded  on  the  north  by  the  Rio  Bravo, 
which  separates  it  from  the  State  of  Texas  (U.  S.  A.),  on  the  north- 
west by  Coahuila,  on  the  west  by  Nuevo  Leon,  on  the  south  by  San 
Luis  Potosi.  on  the  southeast  by  Veracruz,  and  on  the  east  by  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.     The  area  of  the  State  is  83,597  square  kilometers. 

Situation. — Tamaulipas  occupies  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sections 
of  the  Republic.  Its  coast  line  stretches  from  the  har  of  the  Rio  Bravo 
on  the  north  to  Tampico  on  the  south,  an  extent  of  400  kilometers, 
being  formed  by  a  succession  of  sand  banks.  This  part  of  the  State  is 
almost  uninhabited,  as  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  unimportant 
villages  the  centers  of  population  are  from  8  to  12  kilometers  inland. 
There  are  several  bars,  the  principal  being  the  Jesus  Maria,  at  the 
junction  of  the  Madre  Lake  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  which  is  800 
meters  wide  and  15  feet  below  the  level  of  the  water  at  high  tide:  the 
Tampico  bar,  at  a  depth  of  from  8  to  9  feet;  the  Soto  de  Marina  bar 
and  the  bar  of  the  Rio  Bravo.  The  prevailing  winds  on  the  Gulf  coast 
are  from  east,  northeast,  and  southeast,  but  in  winter  "northers"  are 
frequent  and  dangerous. 

Topography. — The  southern  and  central  portions  of  the  State  are 
mountainous,  the  northern  part  containing  extensive  fertile  plains, 
adapted  for  stock  raising.  The  principal  mountain  ranges  arc  the 
Pamoranes,  separated  from  the  San  Carlos  range  by  -■<  to  !"■•  kilometers, 
and  the  Sierra  Madre,  which  traverses  the  southwestern,  western,  and 
central  portions,  its  principal  peaks  being  Cerro  Mocho  and  Cerro 
Shigi'ie.  The  most  remarkable  valley,  by  reason  of  its  beauty  and 
fertility,  is  the  Jaumave;  other.-  are  the  Rusias  and  the  Santa  Barbara 
de  (  Vampo. 

Hydrography. — Tamaulipas  has  four  large  rivers  which  may  be  made 
navigable;  also  several  small  lakes  and  many  small  streams.  The 
principal  river- are  the  Rio  Bravo  del  Norte,  the  boundary  line  between 
Mexico  and  the  United  State-,  flowing  from  northwest  to  southeast, 


TAMAULIPAS.  148 

and  emptying  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico;  the  Conchas,  also  called  the 
Presas;  the  Soto  de  la  Marina,  navigable  for  50  kilometers  from  its 
mouth,  and  the  Guayalejo,  with  their  respective  tributaries.  The  most 
important  lakes  are  on  the  Gulf  coast,  and  are  the  Laguna  Madre,  210 
kilometers  in  length,  containing  several  small  islands;  the  Pesquerias, 
or  Morales,  34  kilometers  long,  also  containing  small  islands;  the 
Tordo,  San  Andres,  Chairel,  Ckainpayan,  and  Carpintero.  Mineral 
springs  abound. 

Climate. — The  climate  of  Tamaulipas  is  generally  hot  and  damp  on 
the  coast  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lakes  and  rivers;  temperate  on  the 
slopes  of  Sierra  Madre  and  in  the  valleys,  and  dry  and  temperate  in 
the  Lagrimas  Valley.  Rainfall  is  abundant  in  the  sierras  and  moder- 
ate in  the  valleys,  and  throughout  the  district  watered  by  the  Rio 
Bravo  frost  is  frequent.  The  highest  temperature  experienced  in  the 
State  is  from  32°  to  33°  C.  (89°  to  91°  F.),  and  the  lowest  15°  to  24° 
C.  (59°  to  75°  F.),  the  extremes  being  at  noon  and  midnight.  The 
prevailing  diseases  are  malarial  fevers  and  affections  of  the  respiratory 
and  digestive  organs. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  flora  are  rich  and  varied  and  pre- 
sent the  same  general  features  as  mark  that  of  other  Mexican  States. 

Resources. — Agricultural  products  are,  in  the  main,  such  as  exist 
elsewhere  in  the  Republic,  cereals,  leguminous  plants,  sugar  cane, 
coffee,  tobacco,  cotton,  and  maguey.  Official  figures  for  1897  credit 
the  State  with  76  plantations,  as  follows:  Cotton,  3:  sugar  cane,  28; 
cereals,  23;  and  22  cattle  ranches,  the  valuation  of  their  production 
for  1901-2  being  given  at  about  $1,150,000  for  cereals;  sugar-cane 
products,  except  rum,  $75,000;  rum,  $1,000;  cotton,  $32,000;  coffee, 
$10,000. 

JIhiivg. — Although  the  mineral  wealth  of  the. State  is  most  abun- 
dant, it  has  not  been  developed  to  any  extent.  The  minerals  found 
are  gold,  silver,  iron,  and  copper;  also  salt,  marble,  and  asphalt;  the 
number  of  mining  claims  registered  to  December  31,  1902,  amounted 
to  81,  covering  938  hectares,  and  the  total  production  of  the  State — 5 
mines  in  operation— was,  during  the  same  period,  585,000  kilos,  valued 
at  *60,000. 

Trade.  -The  commercial  future  of  Tamaulipas  is  assured  by  reason 
of  its  excellent  ports,  its  close  proximity  to  the  United  States,  its  rail- 
road lines,  and  natural  wealth,  its  present  disadvantages  being  limited 
to  a  lack  of  population  and  adequate  capital  and  to  restricted  means  of 
foreign  communication.  Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon  are  the  princi 
pal  mercantile  centers,  the  exports  of  the  former  town  consisting  of 
beef  cattle,  horses,  ixtle,  sarsaparilla,  woods,  fruits,  hides  and  skins, 
rubber,  and  asphalt,  while  the  imports  are  plows,  machinery,  arms, 
hardware,  alimentary  products,  wines  and   liquors,  cotton,  silk,  and 


144  MEXICO. 

woolen  goods,  etc.     The  frontier  of  this  Stale  bordering  on  the  I  Inited 

Stairs  helongs  to  the  Five  Zone. 

Communications. — Three  railroad  lines  traverse  the  State,  theMexi 
can  National,  the  Monterey  and  Gulf,  and  the  Mexican  Central.  The 
first-mentioned  line  crosses  it  twice,  first  in  the  northwest,  <>n  the 
International  Line  from  Mexico  to  Nuevo  Laredo,  and  again  in  the 
north,  on  the  Matamoros,  San  Miguel  and  Monterey  Line.  The 
Monterey  and  Gulf  Line  crosses  it  diagonally  from  west  t<>  northeast 
on  the  Monterey,  Tampico  and Treviiio  road,  and  the  Mexican  Central 
on  the  line  from  Tampico  to  San  Luis  Potosi.  The  Central  also  has  a 
line  from  Chicalote  to  Tampico.  There  are  |'<,ur  lines  of  tramways 
in  Matamoros,  one  in  NueVo  Laredo,  one  in  Victoria, one  in  Tampico. 
and  another  connecting  this  port  with  the  capital.  Concessions  have 
also  been  granted  for  several  more  lines.  Telephone,  telegraph,  and 
mail  service  is  efficient  and  extended.  Several  steamship  line-  touch 
at  Tampico,  the  principal  being  the  Hamburg- American,  the  Harrison, 
the  West  India  and  Pacific,  and  the  New  York  ami  Cuba  Steamship 
Company.  Wagon  roads  arc  numerous,  hut  their  condition  leaves 
much  to  be  desired. 

Tndust ri> s.  Besides  manufactured  product-  directly  derived  from 
agriculture,  such  as  sugar,  rum.  etc..  the  State  also  has  beer,  soap, 
and  candle  manufactories. 

/>,V/.svV>//.v.---Tamaulipas  is  divided  into 4 districts, subdivided  into  38 
municipalities.     The  districts  and  their  principal  cities  are  as  follows: 

Distrito  del  Norte,  population  68,727;  its  chief  town  is  Matamoros, 
population  8,347,  293  kilometers  from  Victoria,  the  State  capital. 
This  is  a  fluvial  port,  on  the  Rio  Bravo,  50  kilometers  from  the  (lull' 
coast,  and  carries  on  a  large  trade.  It  is  a  tine  city,  possessing  many 
public  buildings,  tramway  lines,  a  chamber  of  commerce,  etc.  Next 
in  importance  comes  Nuevo  Laredo,  population  lt>. '><»<>.  on  the  Rio 
Bravo,  opposite  the  American  town  of  the  same  name  (Texas),  with 
which  it  is  connected  by  an  iron  bridge.  It  ha-  a  frontier  customs 
port,  a  chamber  of  commerce,  and  is  the  second  customs  district  of 
the  Republic.  It  is  distant  .">47  kilometers  from  th<  City  of  Mexico 
by  rail  and  320  from  Matamoros.  Other  important  towns  are  Gue- 
rrero and  Mier,  also  frontier  customs  port-,  and  Reynosa  and  ( 'amejo. 
Foreign  trade  through  tin  Laredo  custom-house,  according  to  invoice 
valuation,  is  officially  estimated  for  1901-2  at  $7,145,17]  for  imports 
and  St-,. : I i * T . 7 « ►  1  for  exports. 

Distrito  del  Centro,  population  55,073,  whose  chief  town.  Ciudad 
Victoria,  is  also  the  State  capital,  containing  1.0,086  inhabitants,  and 
distant  L .:'.«> 7  kilometers  from  the  City  of  Mexico  by  rail:  550  from 
Nuevo  Laredo,  and  233  from  Tampico.  The  city  posse  ses  a  chamber 
of  commerce,  many  tine  public  buildings,  tramways,  and  other  modern 
improvements,  and  as  it  lies  on  the  line  of  the   Monterey  and  Gulf 


TLAXCALA.  145 

Railway,  it  has  a  large  trade.  Other  important  towns  are  Soto  de  la 
Marina,  a  fluvial  port,  63  kilometers  from  the  Gulf,  the  river  from 
which  it  takes  its  name  being  navigable  for  more  than  141  kilometers, 
Villagran,  San  Carlos,,  and  Hidalgo. 

Distrito  del  Sur,  population  42,248;  its  chief  town,  Tampico,  popu- 
lation 16,313,  a  Gulf  port,  is  steadily  growing  in  importance.  The 
foreign  trade  of  Tampico,  according  to  the  "Boletin  de  Estadistica 
Fiscal'1  for  1001-2,  amounted  during  that  year  to  $10,279,068  for  im- 
ports and  $46,900,360  for  exports,  according  to  invoice  valuation.  Its 
custom-house  receipts  up  to  the  end  of  November,  1899,  were  larger 
by  a  considerable  sum  than  those  of  the  great  port  of  Veracruz.  The 
Panuco  River,  which  flows  by  it,  waters  one  of  the  most  valuable  sec- 
tions of  the  territory  of  the  Republic,  where  agriculture  and  stock 
raising  offer  inducements  not  equaled  elsewhere  in  the  country.  The 
navigation  business  on  this  river  is  constantly  increasing. 

The  city  possesses  several  tine  public  buildings,  tramways,  a  cham- 
ber of  commerce,  and  all  modern  conveniences,  and  is  the  terminus  of 
two  railroad  lines,  the  Montere}'  and  Gulf  and  the  Mexican  Central. 
Other  important  towns  are  Altamira,  Aldama,  Nuevo  Morelos,  and 
Quintero. 

Cuarto  Distrito,  population  52,900;  its  chief  town  is  Tula,  popula- 
tion 6,935,  160  kilometers  from  Victoria,  and  one  of  the  principal 
commercial  centers  of  the  State.  Other  towns  are  Ocampo,  Jaumave, 
Palmillas,  and  Bustamante. 

TLAXCALA. 

The  State  of  Tlaxcala,  population  172,315,  with  a  capital  city  bear- 
ing the  same  name,  2,252  meters  above  the  sea,  is  the  smallest  State 
in  the  Republic. 

boundaries.  Its  boundaries  are  the  State  of  Puebla  on  the  north, 
east,  and  south,  ami  Mexico  on  the  west,  its  area  measuring  4,132 
square  kilometers. 

Topography.  -Tlaxcala  is  situated  within  the  cold  region  of  Mex- 
ico, and  its  valleys,  though  sandy,  are  fertile.  It  forms  a  portion  of 
the  Central  Plateau,  being  situated  over  2.000  meters  above  the  level 
of  the  Gulf.  The  eastern  slopes  of  the  Popocatepetl  range  rise  in  the 
west  of  the  State,  while  toward  the  south  rises  the  Malinche  range 
with  its  snow-capped  peaks.  Malintzi,  4,107  meters  in  height,  and  the 
Xaltonale,  3,848  meters  high.  The  highest  points  in  the  eastern  por- 
tion of  the  State  are  Pefion  delRosario,  3,359  meters,  and  Huitintepec, 
3,080  meters  high.  Other  elevated  points  throughout  the  State  range 
from  2,000  to  2,700  meters  in  height.  The  principal  valleys  are  the 
Huamantla,  the  Pie  Grande,  Apam,  and  Zahuapam. 

Hydrography. — The  principal  rivers  are  the  Zahuapam,  emptying 
into  the  Atovac,  and  the  Atoyac  and  its  few  tributaries.  There  are 
:,(><•  \ — 04 10 


1    l''>  Ml   XICO. 

also  several  permanent  streams,  among  them  the  Negros,  Tenexac, 
Achiachiapam,  Tot61ac,  and  Tequixquiatl.  The  principal  lakes  arc  the 
Acuitlapilco,  ln">  hectares  in  extent,  Rosario,  252  hectares,  Xonecuila, 
and  Santa  Clara. 

Climate.— The  climate  of  the  State  is  cold  and  healthful,  as  its  mean 
altitude  is  between  2,000  and  3,000  meters  above  sea  level.  Rainfall 
is  moderate  throughout  the  year  and  frost  is  frequent  during  the  win- 
ter. The  prevailing  diseases  are  typhus  and  malarial  fevers  and  affec- 
tions of  the  respiratory  organs. 

y,ni,in  and  flora.— The  fauna  and  flora  embrace  t  ho  usual  species 
indigenous  to  the  Mexican  States. 

/?,  sources.  -  Tlaxcala  is  essentially  an  agricultural  State,  cereals  and 
pulque  forming  the  chief  products.  Official  figures  for  L897  credit  it 
with  154  plantations,  devoted  in  the  following  proportions  to  various 
cultures:  Cereals.  100,  and  maguey,  48;  and  6  cattle  ranches.  Tneval 
nations  for  1901-2  are  officially  quoted  as  follow-:  ( !ereals,  (2,442,227; 
pulque,  $2,136,746. 

Mining. — The  State  has  no  importance  as  a  mining  district,  though 
gold,  silver,  lead,  cinnabar,  and  a  small  proportion  of  coal  have  been 
found. 

Trml,.  The  value  of  the  annual  commerce  is  estimated  at  aboul 
ss. oho. ono,  consisting  chiefly  in  the  export  of  pulque  to  the  City  i  E 
Mexico  and  to  Puebla  and  adjacent  States;  of  cereals  and  other  agri- 
cultural products,  paper  and  cotton  from  the  native  mills.  Hour,  etc., 
the  principal  imports  being  alimentary  products,  hardware,  furniture, 
machinery,  and  agricultural  implements. 

Oom/mtmications.-  Three  railroads  cross  the  State:  the  Mexican, 
running  on  the  Mexico  and  Veracruz  line  and  on  the  Apizaco  and 
Puebla  branch;  the  Interoceanic,  from  Acapulco  and  Veracruz  to 
Mexico,  and  the  Santa  Ana  and  Tlaxcala  road,  from  Chiantempan  to 
Tlaxcala.  There  are  several  wagon  roads  in  good  condition  leading 
to  the  adjacent  States.  Postal,  telegraph,  and  telephone  service  is  good 
and  extended. 

Industries.  The  principal  manufacturing  establishments  of  the 
State  are  its  cotton  and  print  mills,  a  glass  factory,  and  several 
foundries. 

Divisions. — The  political  divisions  of  the  State  are  6  districts,  sub- 
divided into  municipalities.     The  districts  are: 

Ocampo,  population  20,279;  its  chief  town  is  Calpuhilpam  San 
Antonio,  on  the  Interoceanic  Railroad.  60  kilometers  from  the  State 
capital. 

Morelos,  population  18,662;  its  chief  town  is  Tlaxco  San  Augustin. 
42  kilometers  from  Tlaxcala. 

Juarez,  population  36,056;  its  chief  town.  Huamantla,  is  :J„s  kilo- 
meters from  Tlaxcala. 


VERACRUZ.  147 

Zaragoza,  population  38,650;  its  chief  town,  Zacateco  Santa  In6s, 
12  kilometers  from  Tlaxcala. 

Hidalgo,  population  39,213,  whose  chief  town,  Tlaxcala,  the  State 
capital,  with  3,000  inhabitants,  is  also  the  most  important  town  in  the 
State,  possessing  many  fine  buildings,  and  having  rail  connection  with 
the  City  of  Mexico. 

Cuauhtemoc,  population  19,455;  its  chief  town  is  Barron-Escandon, 
or  Apizaco,  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Mexican  Railroad,  26  kilometers 
east  of  Tlaxcala. 

VERACRUZ. 

The  State  of  Veracruz-Llave,  population  981,030,  whose  capital  city 
is  X:ilapa,  or  Jalapa,  1,429  meters  altitude,  population  20,388,  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  richest  and  most  beautiful  regions  of  the  globe.  Its 
area  is  75,863  square  kilometers. 

Boundaries. — The  boundaries  are  Tamaulipas  on  the  north,  San 
Luis  Potosi,  Hidalgo,  and  Puebla  on  the  west,  Oaxaca  on  the  south, 
and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  on  the  east. 

Topography. — Veracruz  occupies  a  narrow  strip  of  land  rising  grad- 
ually from  the  coast  line  to  the  crest  of  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains. 
Almost  the  entire  section  is  mountainous,  the  Sierra  Madre  range 
occupying  the  western  central  portion,  running  from  north  to  south, 
and  rising  to  the  height  of  4,089  meters  above  sea  level  in  the  peak  of 
Nanchampapetl,  or  Cofre  de  Perote.  To  the  south  is  the  majestic 
snow-capped  volcano  Citatepetl,  or  Orizaba,  5,295  meters  above  the 
level  of  the  sea.  Other  ranges  are  the  Maltrata,  Alcucingo,  Jalacingo, 
Oxocupan,  and  Zongolica.  The  eastern  literal,  bordering  on  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  is  460  kilometers  in  extent,  stretching  from  the  Tampico 
Bar  to  Tonala.  The  northern  section  of  this  coast  line  is  called  the 
Windward  coast,  while  to  the  south,  from  Veracruz  to  the  bar  of 
Tonala,  is  the  Leeward  coast.  The  shore  line  is  broken  by  numerous 
bars,  shoals,  islands,  capes,  etc. 

Hydrography. — Hydrographically  the  State  may  be  divided  into  two 
basins,  the  northern  extending  from  the  Panuco  River  to  the  Rio 
Blanco,  and  the  southern  from  the  latter  stream  southward  to  Tauco- 
chapa.  The  rivers  susceptible  of  navigable  development  are  the 
Panuco,  Tiixpam,  Vinasco,  Yautepec,  Tecolutla,  Nautla,  Blanco,  and 
Papaloapam,  all  having  several  tributaries  and  forming  the  hydro- 
graphic  basins  above  mentioned.  There  are  also  several  lakes,  among 
them  the  Catemaco,  Ostion,  Mexcalapa,  Tortuguero,  and  Tecunanapa. 

Climate. — The  climate  is  very  variable,  being  hot  and  unhealth}^  in 
the  south  and  on  the  coast,  yellow  fever,  dysenteiy,  and  black  vomit 
prevailing;  temperate  and,  at  times,  humid  at  altitudes  of  more  than 
1,000  meters;  temperate  and  healthful  on  the  mountain  slopes;  cold  at 
an  altitude  of  1,500  meters,  and  hot  in  the  north. 


L48  Mexico. 

Fa/ima  and  flora. — The  fauna  and  flora  of  the  State  are  l»oth  rich  and 
varied,  embracing  the  species  usual  in  other  portions  of  the  Republic. 

Resources.  -The  agricultural  products  include  all  such  as  are  indige- 
nous elsewhere  to  Mexico.  Official  figures  give  the  State  of  Veracruz 
T51  plantations  in  1897,  divided  as  follows:  Cotton,  s.);  coffee,  98; 
sugar  cane,  106;  cereals,  L89;  fruits,  3;  tobacco,  45;  woods,  8;  and  279 
cattle  ranches. 

There  is  no  available  data  for  the  production  of  Veracruz  for  L901-2. 
The  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  L900-  L90]  credits  the  State  with  the 
following  figures:  Cereals,  $7,094,673:  sugar-cane  products,  rum  ex- 
cepted, 41,137,598  kilograms,  at  13,858,284;  nun.  1  19,209  hectoliters, 
at  $2,371,160;  maguey  products.  Ssl.-p'O;  textile  fibers  (cotton  and 
ixtle),  $223,330;  dyewoods,  $124,000;  tanning  barks,  $15,000;  coffee, 
17,765,347  kilos,  at  $5,880,656;  tobacco.  5,394,946  kilos,  at  $1,740,234; 
vanilla,  124,000  kilos,  at  §l,3r>n.oo<i.  Stock  raising  is  also  one  of  the 
sources  of  wealth  and  may  be  estimated  at  a  value  of  from  24.oiio.ooo 
to  25,000,000  pesos. 

Mining.  Many  rich  mines  are  included  within  the  borders  of  the 
State,  the  principal  yielding  gold,  silver,  lead.  iron,  mercury,  copper, 
coal,  petroleum,  asphalt,  and  marble,  and  also  such  precious  .-tones  as 
opals,  agate,  lapis  lazuli,  and  amethysts.  The  number  of  mining  claims 
registered  during  the  calendar  year  L90]  was  4-6.  covering  678 hectares, 
while  the  total  output  of  the  '■'>  mines  in  operation  for  the  same  period 
was  s4;..imio. 

Trade.  Veracruz  i-  one  of  the  most  important  commercial  sections 
of  the  Republic,  its  trade  having  outlet-  not  only  throughout  Mexico 
but  also  to  the  United  State-.  Europe,  the  West  Indie-,  and  South 
America.  The  chief  ports-are  Veracruz,  Tuxpam,  and  Coatzacoalcos, 
devoted  to  foreign  commerce,  while  the  other  gulf  ports  are  open  to 
coastwise  trade  only.  Exports  from  Veracruz  cover  almost  all  the 
articles  that  Mexico  sends  abroad,  while  the  imports  are  of  an  equally 
general  character.  The  total  trade  of  the  port,  both  foreign  and 
domestic,  amounts  to  about  $100,000,000  per  annum. 

The  foreign  trade  of  these  three  ports  i-  officially  given  as  follow-. 
and  the  "Boletin  de  Estadistica  Fiscal."'  for  1901-2: 

Imports.  Exports. 

; _ 

Veracruz S20, 986, 963         126,  191 

Tuxpam 57,38]  2*1,868 

( '. >atzac< mirns 176  196,  :  1 1 


Communications. — The  railways  include  the  Mexican  line  from  Vera- 
cruz to  Mexico,  the  Interocanic  the  Veracruz  and  Alvarado,  the  Cen- 
tral in  the  north,  the  Cordoba  and  Tuxtepec,  and  two  short  lines,  one 
from  Veracruz  to  Antigua  and  one  from  Jalapa  to  Coatepec.     Many 


VERACRUZ.  14V) 

fine  highways  also  connect  with  the  principal  towns  of  the  adjacent 
States.  Maritime  communication  is  effected  by  means  of  the  several 
steamship  lines  touching  at  Veracruz  and  other  ports,  viz:  The  French 
Transatlantic,  the  Hamburg-American,  the  Royal  Mail,  the  Harri- 
son, the  West  India  and  Pacific,  the  Morgan,  and  the  Ward  lines. 
Coastwise  steamers  also  ply  between  home  ports.  A  cable  lines  runs 
from  Coatzacoalcos  to  Galveston,  with  stations  at  Veracruz  and  Tam- 
pico.  Telegraph,  telephone,  and  postal  communication  is  efficient  and 
extensive. 

Industries. — In  addition  to  the  industries  directly  connected  with 
agriculture,  mining,  and  stock  raising,  the  State  has  many  manufac- 
turing interests,  such  as  cotton,  woolen,  saw,  and  paper  mills,  and 
establishments  for  the  manufacture  of  chocolate,  wax  matches,  soap, 
candles,  and  cigars,  and  several  foundries. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  eighteen  cantons,  subdivided 
into  municipalities.  The  cantons  may  be  classed  in  two  groups  of 
nine  each,  called,  according  to  their  geographical  position,  maritime 
and  interior  respectively;  they  are  subdivided  as  follows: 

Northern  maritime,  embracing  Ozuluama,  population  38,990;  Tiix- 
pam,  58,282;  and.  Papantla,  50,756,  their  chief  towns  bearing  the  same 
names,  respectively,  Tuxpam  being  a  seaport  open  to  foreign  trade. 

Central  maritime,  embracing  Misantla,  population  21,250,  whose 
chief  town  bears  the  same  name;  Jalapa,  82,669,  the  chief  town  of 
which  is  Jalapa,  also  the  capital  of  the  State,  with  20,388  inhabitants, 
situated  310  kilometers  from  the  City  of  Mexico  and  118  from  Vera- 
cruz, being  the  principal  town  of  the  State,  the  center  of  a  fine  agri- 
cultural district,  and  possessing  fine  public  buildings;  and  Veracruz, 
110,172,  whose  chief  town  bears  the  same  name  and  is  the  first  commer- 
cial port  of  the  Republic,  121  kilometers  from  the  City  of  Mexico. 
The  chief  public  buildings  of  the  city  of  Veracruz  are  the  municipal 
palace,  the  People's  Library  (containing  over  20,000  volumes),  a  theater, 
several  churches,  and  the  Artillery  School.  This  city  is  in  constant 
communication  with  the  principal  ports  of  the  United  States,  Europe, 
and  the  West  Indies  by  means  of  a  submarine  cable  and  steamship 
lines.  It  is  the  seat  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  has  three  banks,  a 
consular  corps,  and  is  equipped  with  two  light-houses,  street  railways, 
and  other  modern  conveniences.  Other  towns  in  the  canton  are  Alva- 
rado  and  Tlacotalpam,  the  latter  a  fluvial  port  on  the  Papaloapam 
River. 

Southern  maritime,  embracing  Los  Tuxtlas,  population  43,824,  the 
chief  towns  being  San  Andres  de  Tuxtla  and  Santiago  de  Tuxtla; 
Acayucam,  population  38,164,  its  chief  town  bearing  the  same  name; 
and  Minatitlan,  population  34,490,  with  its  chief  town  bearing  the 
same  name,  a  railway  station.  Coatzacoalcos,  a  gulf  port  and  the 
third  town  in  the  State,  is  also  in  the  canton  of  Minantitlan. 


150  SCEX1CO. 

Northern  interior,  embracing  the  cantons  of  Tantoyuca,  population 
56,179,  and  Chicontepec,  66,5 1  7.  their  chief  towns  bearing  the  names 
of  the  cantons. 

Central  interior,  embracing  Jalacingo,  population  < >T.< >  1  «> ;  Coatepec, 
50,451;  Huatusco,  35,534;  C6rdoba,  T9,130;  Orizaba,  85,945;  and 
Zongolica,  29,740;  their  chief  towns  bearing  the  same  Dames  as  their 
respective  cantons.  Orizaba,  population  32,894,  deserves  especial 
mention  as  the  second  city  in  the  State. 

Southern  interior,  comprising  the  canton  of  Cosamalodpam,  32,371, 
with  its  chief  town  bearing  the  same  name. 

YUCATAN. 

The  State  of  Yucatan,  population  314,087,  whose  capital  city  is 
Merida,  about  8  meters  altitude,  population  43,630,  is  the  greatest 
henequen-producing  region  of  the  world. 

Boundaries. — It  is  hounded  on  the  north  by  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  on 
the  east  by  the  Caribbean  Sea,  on  the  south  by  British  Honduras  and 
Guatemala,  and  on  the  west  by  the  State  of  Campeche.  It  compri-es 
an  area  of  91,201  square  kilometers. 

Situation. — The  peninsula  of  Yucatan  is  an  immense  plain,  which, 
starting  from  the  coast  line,  rises  gradually  toward  the  interior  to  a 
height  of  from  40  to  60  meters.  In  the  northwest,  where  Merida  is 
located,  the  soil  is  of  a  calcareous,  dry.  and  rocky  formation,  and  until 
the  culture  of  hencquen  transformed  it  into  one  of  the  richest  regions  of 
Mexico  it  was  proverbially  sterile.  The  fertility  of  the  land  increases 
toward  the  northeast,  while  the  southeast  section  offers  great  natural 
opportunities  for  wealth,  abounding  as  it  does  in  virgin  forests  Idled 
with  valuable  dye  and  cabinet  woods  and  in  stretches  of  land  suitable  for 
the  culture  of  all  the  vegetable  species.  This  territory  is,  however. 
occupied  by  rebel  Indian  tribes  and  has  not  been  accessible  to  progress 
and  civilization  for  more  than  fifty  years." 

TojxK/rdp/n/.-  There  are  two  small  mountain  ranges  in  the  Slate: 
the  one.  called  Puc  in  the  Maya  tongue,  is  SO  uniform  in  its  extent 
and  at  so  slight  an  elevation  above  sea  level  that  it  might  more  properly 
be  termed  an  elongated  hill.  This  range,  which  -tarts  near  the  partido 
of  Macanu,  extends  toward  the  east,  thence  in  a  southerly  direction. 
after  which  it  turns  SSE.  for  a  distance  of  120  kilometers,  gradually 
decreasing  in  altitude  until,  near  Peto,  it  merges  into  a  savanna  or 
plain.  The  other  range  is  formed  by  a  series  of  hills  starting  near  the 
coast.  Several  islands  lie  along  the  coast,  viz,  Pajaros  and  Perez  to 
the  north:  southwest  of  these  is  Arenas,  while  near  Cape  Catoche  are 
Halboy.  Contoy.  and  Blanca,  and  off  the  western  coast  are  Mujeres, 

« The  territory  of  Quintans  Roe,  created  by  act  of  December  14,  1900,  occupies 
the  main  portion  of  these  lands.  Several  important  concessions  have  been  granted 
for  the  colonization  and  development  of  the  new  territory. 


YUCATAN.  151 

Cancum,  and  Cozumel.  Small  cays,  which  are  dangerous  for  naviga- 
tors, abound  in  the  vicinity  of  Cape  Catoche.  Mujeres  Island,  how- 
ever, possesses  a  tine  harbor,  which  with  the  port  of  Progreso  (open 
to  foreign  traffic)  and  the  ports  of  Cozumel,  Halboy,  Celestun,  Telchal, 
Chicxalub,  Chuburna,  Santa  Clara.  Kxilam,  Bravo,  and  Sisal  are  the 
principal  coast  towns.  Sisal  is  at  present  almost  deserted,  though  it 
was  formerl}T  the  chief  port  of  the  State.  The  coasts  of  Yucatan,  990 
kilometers  in  length,  are  very  low,  and,  judging  from  the  shells  found 
among  the  rocks  and  in  deep  diggings,  the  entire  peninsula  was  atone 
time  covered  by  the  sea. 

Hydrography. — There  are  no  rivers,  and  all  drinking  water  is 
obtained  from  natural  wells  sunk  to  a  greater  or  less  depth.  The 
so-called  Lagartos  River  is  in  reality  a  shallow  arm  of  the  sea,  and  is 
remarkable  for  the  fact  that  at  a  distance  of  about  400  meters  inland 
pools  of  fresh  water  spring  up  amid  the  salt.  These  are  called  "Bocas 
de  Conil,"  and  are  supposed  by  Humboldt  to  be  due  to  immense  hydro- 
static pressure  from  the  interior  of  the  earth.  Such  springs  are  also 
found  on  the  Windward  coast.  Throughout  the  State  are  man}^ 
springs  called  locally  mrtenejas,  aguadas,  and  ceiiotes,  the  first  being 
deposits  of  rain  water  among  the  rocks;  the  second  large  reservoir- 
like pools,  some  of  them  having  been  constructed  by  the  ancient  inhab- 
itants, and  the  third  beautiful  caverns  where  water  is  found  in  immense 
quantities.  The  only  lake  is  the  Chichankanab,  SE.  of  Merida,  about 
32  kilometers  distant  from  Peto,  the  peculiar  characteristic  of  which 
is  that  the  waters,  though  beautifully  clear,  are  very  bitter,  and  that 
the  bed  is  composed  of  crystals  closely  resembling  Epsom  salts. 

Climate. — The  climate  is  generally  pleasant,  the  maximum  tem- 
perature in  summer  being  32°  C.  (89°  F.)  and  the  minimum  in  winter 
19°  C.  (66°  F.),  the  summer  heat  being  tempered  by  cool  breezes. 
Malaria  and  other  fevers  are  the  prevailing  diseases. 

Fauna  and  flora. — The  fauna  of  the  State  embraces  almost  all  the 
species  found  throughout  the  Republic,  while  the  flora  is  no  less  rich 
and  varied. 

Resources.- — The  principal  sources  of  agricultural  wTealth  consists  in 
the  cultivation  of  henequen,  but  in  the  northwTest  section  there  are  a 
few  sugar-cane  plantations,  while  in  the  northeast  or  forest  region  d}-e 
and  cabinet  woods,  chicle  gum,  tobacco,  and  vanilla  are  grown.  Mex- 
ican official  figures  for  1897  give  Yucatan  826  plantations,  divided  as 
follows:  Sugar  cane,  94;  cereals,  159;  henequen,  348;  and  225  cattle 
ranches.  The  principal  products  for  1901-2  are  estimated  as  fol- 
lows: Corn,  to  the  value  of  $1,209,747;  sugar  cane  products,  direct, 
3,050,000  kilos,  at  *24:>.(>00;  rum,  $270,000;  henequen,  51,808.900 
kilos,  valued  at  $16,192,029;  dye  woods,  3,000,000  kilos,  $100,000; 
chicle  gum,  848,000;  sugar  cane,  $345,000.  In  189S  the  extent  of 
cultivated  lands  throughout  the  State  was  given  officially  as  54,564 


152  MEXICO. 

hectares,  of  which  21,835  were  devoted  to  corn.  Stock  raising, 
though  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent,  does  not  meet  the  require 
ments  of  home  consumption,  large  quantities  of  cattle  being  imported 
from  the  adjacent  State-,  especially  from  Tampico.  The  "Boletin  de 
Estadfstica,"  an  official  publication  issued  by  the  State,  estimates  the 
yearly  importation  of  beef  cattle  at  7. <»<»<>  head. 

Mines.  There  are  no  mines  in  the  State:  it.  however,  possesses 
several  kinds  of  building  stones,  clay,  gypsum,  etc. 

Trade.  The  foreign  trade  of  Yucatan  is  carried  on  almosl  exclu- 
sively through  the  port  of  Progreso.  During  1901  2  the  imports  were 
valued  at  $5,017,566  and  the  exports  at  $31,931,877.  The  exports  of 
henequ&l  during  the  calendar  year  L903,  from  Yucatan  through  the 
ports  of  Progreso  and  Campeche.  consisted  of  61  L,939  Wales,  valued  at 
$36,040,032.32.°     The  distribution  of  the  hales  was  as  follows: 

United  States 590,  676 

Cuba 8,066 

England 4,  281 i 

Cana<la L,  200 

France,  Spain,  <  rermany,  Belgium 1,711 

Total (ill,  939 

The  exports  of  henequen  during  the  lasl  five  years  were: 

1899 44^,  ITS 

1900 199 

1901 517,519 

llii)2 528,  246 

1903 - 611 ,  939 

There  has  been  a  steady  increase  in  the  production  of  henequen,  and 
the  yield  for  the  year  1904  is  estimated  to  exceed  that  of  L903. 

Communications. — The  railway-  of  the  State  are:  The  Merida  and 
Progreso,  36 kilometers;  thelzamel,66  kilometers:  the  Me'rida and  Val- 
ladolid,  with  a  branch  to  Progreso.  78  kilometer-:  the  Merida  and  Peto, 
127  kilometer-,  running  to  San  Antonio,  and  the  Peninsular  road  from 
Merida  to  Campeche,  173  kilometers.  In  May.  1899,  a  company  wa- 
organized  under  the  name  of  the  Yucatan  Southeastern  Company,  with 
a  capital  of  $1,000,1)00,  Mexican  silver,  to  open  up  vast  uncultivated 
regions  in  the  old  Maya  peninsula.  There  are  also  36  kilometers  of 
street  railways  in  Merida.  and  several  wagon  roads.  Maritime  com- 
munication is  carried  <>n  by  means  of  the  New  York  and  Cuba  Mail 
Steamship  Company,  the  Imperial  German  Mail,  the  Harrison  Line, 
the  West  India  and  Pacific  Steamship  Company,  the  Spanish  Trans- 
atlantic Line,  two  Mexican  lines,  the  Prince  Line,  the  Johnston  Line, 
and  others.  Telegraphic,  telephonic,  and  mail  services  are  efficient  and 
extended. 

"  "Mexican  Herald,"  January  21,  1904. 


ZAOATECAS.  153 

Industries. — The  principal  industry  of  the  State  is  the  manufacture 
of  henequen  ropes  and  bags.  An  American  firm  has  established  a 
factory  for  the  preparation  of  vegetable  pepsin  from  the  papaya 
(carica,  papaya). 

Division*. — Politically,  Yucatan  is  divided  into  17  partidos,  subdi- 
vided into  municipalities.     The  partidos  are: 

Acanceh,  population.  22,677;  its  chief  town,  Gearing  the  same  name, 
is  situated  25  kilometers  by  rail  from  Merida,  the  State  capital. 

Espita.  population  10,489,  with  a  chief  town  bearing  the  same  name. 

Hunucma,  population  L8,656,  with  a  chief  town  bearing  the  same 
name,  is  36  kilometers  by  rail  from  Merida.  the  port  of  Sisal  being 
also  one  of  its  towns. 

Las  Islas,' population  3,141,  chief  town,  Isla  de  Mujeres,  a  seaport. 
The  two  other  ports  of  the  partido  are  Cozumel  and  Halboy. 

Izamal,  population  21,358;  chief  town,  bearing  the  same  name,  is 
66  kilometers  from  Merida. 

Maxcanu,  population  19,(573;  its  chief  town  of  the  same  name  is  58 
kilometers  from  Merida,  the  port  of  the  partido  being  Celestun. 

Merida,  population  60,156,  whose  chief  town,  Merida,  is  also  the 
capital  of  the  State,  containing  13,630  inhabitants,  according  to  the 
official  census  of  1900.  This  is  one  of  the  richest  cities  of  the  Repub- 
lic, possessing  handsome  buildings,  street-railway  lines,  a  board  of 
trade,  three  banks,  and  all  modern  conveniences.  It  is  also  the  rail- 
way center  of  the  State. 

Motul,  population  ls,7.">(>,  with  a  chief  town  of  the  same  name.  It; 
kilometers  from  Merida.  the  port  of  the  partido  being  Telchac. 

Peto.  population  10,636,  with  a  chief  town  of  the  same  name,  is  a 
railway  terminus. 

Progreso.  population  8,832,  whose  chief  town,  Progreso,  population 
5,125,  is  36  kilometers  from  Merida.  It  is  the  principal  port  of  the 
State  ami  tin'  second  in  the  Republic  for  its  import  trade,  the  vessels 
calling  there  numbering  yearly  from  5(H)  to  550,  of  which  350  are 
steamers.  The  port  is  not  safe,  especially  in  bad  weather.  Other 
ports  in  the  partido  are  Chicxulub  and  Chuburmi. 

The  other  partidos  are  Sotuta,  population  9,855,  Tekax,  19,757; 
Temax.  17,058;  Ticul,  i\~>,n:>7;  Tixkokob,  11,072;  Tizimin,  9,171;  and 
Y'alladolid,  21.710,  the  chief  towns  of  which -bear  the  same  names  as 
their  respective  partidos. 

ZACATECAS. 

The  State  of  Zacatecas,  population  162,190,  the  capital  city  of  which 
is  Zacatecas,  2,196  meters  altitude,  with  32,856  inhabitants,  is  one  of 
the  important  interior  States  of  the  Republic. 

Boundaries. — Its  boundaries  are:  Coahuila  on  the  north,  San  Luis 
Potosi  on  the  east,  Jalisco  and  Aguascalientes  on  the  south,  and 
Durango  on  the  west,  its  total  area  being  63,386  square  kilometers. 


1  5  i  MEXICO. 

Situation. — Situated  on  the  high  Central  Plateau  of  the  Republic, 
this  State  is  one  of  the  most  mountainous  regions  of  the  country,  and 
i-  formed  by  the  extension  of  the  Sierra  Madre  range.  It-  mean  alti- 
tude i-  2,230  meters,  the  highest  point  being  3,090  meters  and  the 
lowest  l.;">73. 

Topography.-  Owing  to  topographical  conditions,  agriculture  does 
not  prosper  throughout  its  extent.  The  principal  mountains  are 
Mazapil,  Tecolotes,  Novillos,  Calabozal,  Pichihualtepec,  Pitiquitas, 
San  Pedro,  Tetill as,  Mesquital,  Melilla,  Chacuaco,  Chapultepec,  and 
the  peak  of  Teyra. 

Hydrography.  The  two  principal  rivers  arc  the  Juchipila  and  the 
Nieves,  respectively  230  and  225  kilometers  in  length.  Other  rivers 
are  the  tributaries  of  those  above  mentioned  and  the  Jerez,  theTlalte- 
nango,  and  Teul.  There  are  no  large  lakes,  but  pools  of  (dear,  cold 
water  and  mineral  springs  abound. 

Climate.  -The  State  possesses  three  climatic  regions,  the  first 
between  L,550  and  2,000  meters  above  sea  level,  the  second  from 
2,000  to  2,400  meters,  and  the  third  from  2,400  to  3,000  meters,  the 
thermometer  ranging  from  11  to21  C.  (about  52  to  To  F.),  accord 
ing  to  the  altitude.  Rainfall  is  abundant  throughout  the  State,  and 
the  winds  from  the  west  are  cold,  while  those  from  the  southeast  are 
warm.      Fevers  and  pneumonia  are  the  most  common  ailments. 

Fauna  and  flora. — Although  the  fauna  of  the  State  is  not  known 
very  thoroughly,  it  may  be  said  to  embrace  such  species  as  are  common 
to  other  parts  of  the  Republic,  the  same  being  applicable  to  the  flora. 

Resources.— As  has  been  stated,  Zacatecas  can  not  be  classed  among 
the  important  agricultural  section-  of  Mexico.  Cereals  are.  however, 
its  best  crop,  sugar  cane  and  maguey  following. 

Mexican  official  statistics  for  1*(.»7  give  the  following  data  in  regard 
to  the  State:  Number  of  plantations  L89,  divided  as  follow-:  Coffee,  4; 
cereals,  80;  maguey,  L5;  and  90  cattle  ranches.  The  principal  agri- 
cultural products  for  1901-2  are  officially  given  as  follow-:  Cereals, 
$3,142,146;  sugar-cane  products,  rum  excepted,  3,049,300  kilos,  at 
1245,000;  rum.  $6,600;  mescal,  $122,000;  other  maguey  product-. 
$20,000;  ixtle.  $6,300;  -rape  wine,  $3,200;  tannine-  barks,  $10,000; 
tobacco,  $8,000. 

Stock  raising  forms  one  of  the  chief  sources  of  wealth,  the  Zaca- 
tecas stock  being  renowned  throughout  the  Republic,  the  sheep  espe- 
cially being  considered  unequaled,  both  on  account  of  flesh  and  wool. 
Foreign  stock  has  been  imported  to  improve  the  native  breeds,  and 
the  experiment  has  been  eminently  successful. 

Mining.  —From  a  mineral  standpoint  this  State  is  one  of  the  richest 
regions  in  the  world,  as  it  contain-  the  Sierra  de  Zacatecas,  which  has 
produced    fabulous    quantities  of   silver.     Other   minerals  found   in 


ZACATECAS.  155 

greater  or  less  quantities  are  gold,  mercury,  iron,  copper,  zinc,  lead, 
coal,  bismuth,  and  salt.  During  the  year  ending  on  December  31, 
1902,  official  statistics  give  the  number  of  mining  claims  registered  as 
1,185,  covering  15,293  hectares.  The  number  of  mines  in  operation 
during  the  same  period  were  102,  the  total  output  being  officially  esti- 
mated at  176,515,185  kilos,  valued  at  $5,221,779. 

Trade. — Commercially  Zacatecas  is  one  of  the  most  important  cen- 
ters of  the  Republic,  its  trade  being  estimated  at  about  $11,000,000 
per  annum,  as  follows:  Imports,  $15,000,000;  exports,  $19,000,000; 
local  trade,  $7,000,000.  The  United  States,  Europe,  and  the  City  of 
Mexico  receive  the  mineral  exports,  the  former  taking  ores  and  the 
two  latter  silver  bullion  and  coin.  Other  products,  consisting  chiefly 
of  cereals,  live  stock,  tallow,  horns,  bones,  mescal,  etc.,  go  to  the 
adjacent  States.  Imports  from  Mexico  City,  the  United  States,  and 
Europe  comprise  groceries,  ready-made  clothing,  hardware,  machinery, 
agricultural  implements,  arms,  and  ammunition. 

Communications. — The  Mexican  Central  and  the  Mexican  National 
railroads  traverse  the  State,  the  former  from  southeast  to  northwest 
on  the  International  line  from  Mexico  to  Ciudad  Juarez  and  on  the 
Aguascalientes  and  Tampico  line,  and  the  latter  on  the  Zacatecas  and 
San  Luis  Potosi  road.  There  is  also  a  narrow-gauge  road  connecting 
Guadalupe  and  Zacatecas,  as  well  as  several  wagon  roads.  Telegraphic, 
telephonic,  and  postal  services  are  efficient  and  extended. 

Industries. — The  principal  manufacturing  industries  are  the  produc- 
tion of  sugar,  rum,  and  wine,  the  reduction  of  ores,  and  the  manufac- 
ture of  cotton,  woolen,  and  knit  goods,  carriages,  candles,  soap,  and 
chocolate. 

Divisions. — The  State  is  divided  into  12  partidos,  subdivided  into 
municipalities.     The  partidos  and  their  principal  cities  are: 

Mazapil,  population  23,052,  an  important  mining  section,  the  chief 
town  of  which  bears  the  same  name  and  is  situated  336  kilometers 
from  Zacatecas. 

Fresnillo,  population  53,132,  the  second  agricultural  and  stock- 
breeding  partido  of  the  State;  its  chief  town,  Fresnillo,  population 
6,309,  lies  on  the  Central  Railroad,  59  kilometers  from  Zacatecas. 

Zacatecas,  population  71,591,  one  of  the  richest  silver-bearing  dis- 
tricts in  the  world,  its  chief  town  bearing  the  same  name,  being  also 
the  State  capital,  with  32,856  inhabitants.  It  is  also  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal cities  of  the  Republic,  and  is  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Cen- 
tral Railway,  706  kilometers  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  1,130  from  the 
port  of  Veracruz,  121  from  Aguascalientes,  nnd  787  from  the  port  of 
Tampico.  The  city  is  equipped  with  all  modern  conveniences  and 
possesses  many  fine  public  buildings,  among  others  the  municipal 
palace;  the  mint,  which  according  to  official  statistics  coined  in  1901-2 


L56  Mexico. 

silver  to  the  amount  of  $7,281,000;  the  [institute  of  Sciences,  the 
cathedral,  and  many  churches,  hospitals,  schools,  etc.  According  to 
old  statistics  the  partido  of  Zacatecas  yielded  in  the  period  from  L548 
to  L832  minerals  to  the  value  of  *■+>".-'►  i  -  "• .  i^ '.  > '.  ♦  pesos.  Guadalupe,  pop- 
ulation 8,781,  is  the  second  town  in  the  partido,  being  of  considerable 
commercial  importance. 

( Ijocaliente,  population  i:;,s:;<».  the  chief  town  of  which,  bearing  the 
same  name,  is  34  kilometers  from  Zacatecas. 

Pinos,  population  45,859;  it-  chief  town,  situated  L25  kilometers 
from  Zacatecas,  bears  the  same  name,  and  is  rich  in  minerals  and 
produces  large  quantities  of  maguey  mescal. 

Villanueva,  population  4i>.tih'..  is  an  agricultural  region,  the  chief 
town  of  which,  bearing  the  same  name  is  50  kilometers  from  Zacatecas. 

Juchipila,  population  21,378,  also  an  agricultural  section,  with  a 
chief  town  of  tlic  same  name,  is  251  kilometers  from  Zacatecas. 

Nochixtlan.  population  20,562,  with  a  chief  town  of  the  same  name, 
is  2-tt;  kilometers  from  Zacatecas. 

Tlaltenango,  or  Sanchez  Roman,  population  39,013,  is  a  mining 
region:  its  chief  town,  bearing  the  same  name,  is  202  kilometers  from 
Zacatecas. 

Jerez,  population  51,000,  is  the  first  agricultural  section  in  the  State. 
its  principal  town,  of  the  same  name  (called  also  Ciudad  Garcia),  i- 
situated  50  kilometers  from  Zacatecas. 

Sombrerete,  population  1T.7<>7.  is  a  line  mining  region,  the  chief 
town  of  the  same  name  being  situated  88  kilometers  from  Zacatecas, 
the  town  of  Chalchihuites  ranking  next  in  importance. 

Nieves,  population  31,448,  the  principal  towns  of  which  are  Nieves, 
185  kilometers  from  Zacatecas.  and  Rio  Grande,  or  ( i-onzalez  ( )rtega,  at 
a  distance  of  L64  kilometers. 

TERRITORIES. 
HA.1A    CALIFORNIA. 

The  Territory  of  Baja  (Lower)  California,  population  4T.*i^4.  is  a 
peninsula  extending  from  north  to  south  into  the  Pacific  Ocean  for  a 
distance  of  over  1,500  kilometers. 

Boundaries.  Its  boundaries  are  the  State  of  California  (United 
States)  on  the  north,  the  Gulf  of  California  on  the  east,  and  the 
Pacific  Ocean  on  the  west  and  south.  The  total  area  is  151,109  square 
kilometers. 

Situation,. — The  coast  line  measures  3,000  kilometers,  bordered  bya 
number  of  islands.  The  principal  bays  where  the  ports  open  to  foreign 
commerce  are  found  are  La  Paz  and  Santa  Rosalia  on  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia, and  Ensenada  Bay  on  the  Pacific.  Others  worthy  of  note  are 
San  Quintin,  San  Sebastian,  Vizcaino,  San  Pablo,  San  Roque,  Asuncion. 


BAJA    CALIFORNIA.  157 

Magdalena,  Ballenas,  Pequena,  and  Almejas  on  the  western  or  Pacitic 
side,  while  on  the  gulf  or  eastern  coast  are  San  Felipe,  San  Luis,  Reme- 
dios,  Angeles,  Animas,  San  Carlos,  Concepcion,  San  Nicolas,  San 
Basilio,  Ventana,  Muertos,  Palmas,  and  San  Jose.  The  large  islands 
also  have  their  ports  and  bays,  as  follows:  Angel  de  la  Guarda  Island 
contains  the  port  of  Refugio  and  Humbug  Bay;  Carmen  Island,  ports 
Lobos  and  Balandra  and  the  bays  of  Salinas  and  Gavilanes,  and  San 
Jose  Island  the  Bay  of  Amortajada,  and  Cedros  Island  the  Bay  del  Sur. 
Other  islands  on  the  Pacitic  coast  belonging  to  the  Republic  are  Gua- 
dalupe, which  is  extremely  fertile  and  rich  in  cattle;  Todos  Santos,  San 
Martin,  San  Geronimo,  Sacramento  (a  reef),  Elide,  Cedros,  Natividad, 
San  Benito,  Asuncion,  and  the  large  islands  of  Magdalena,  Santa  Mar- 
garita, and  Crecientes.  On  the  gulf  side  are  Montague  and  Gore  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Colorado  River,  Gonzaga  (a  reef),  the  San  Luis 
Islands,  the  large  island  of  Angel  de  la  Guarda,  the  Mejia  Islands,  San 
Marcos,  Carmen,  Santa  Catalina,  San  Jose,  Espiritu  Santo,  Cerralbo, 
and  several  others. 

Topography. — The  peninsula  is  traversed  from  end  to  end  by  a 
cordillera  running  nearer  the  eastern  than  the  western  coast,  the 
descent  on  the  gulf  side  being  extremely  abrupt,  while  on  the  Pacific 
side  the  coast  is  reached  by  a  succession  of  low  hills.  This  mountain 
chain  possesses  remarkable  topographical  and  geological  features,  in 
some  places  granite,  occasionally  metalliferous,  forming  the  central 
portions.  Another  differential  characteristic  between  the  mountains 
of  Upper  and  Lower  California  are  the  rocks  of  volcanic  origin  which 
occupy  a  large  extent  of  the  territory,  giving  the  country  a  marked 
aspect  of  aridity  and  desolation,  this  being  especially  noticeable  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  territory,  which  is  occupied  by  the  Cupapas  chain 
and  the  Volcano  de  las  Virgenes.  The  highest  granite  peak  is  the 
Cerro  del  Gigante,  near  Loreto,  on  the  gulf  coast,  the  altitude  of  which 
is  estimated  at  1,300  meters  above  sea  level. 

Hydrography. — With  the  exception  of  the  Colorado  River  in  the 
north  and  several  small  streams  in  the  center  and  south,  among  which 
are  the  Muleje,  Todos  Santos,  San  Jose,  Miraflores,  and  Purisima,  the 
peninsula  is  lacking  in  means  of  irrigation. 

Rrxource*. — Lack  of  irrigation  and  scareit}'  of  rainfall  are  the  causes 
of  the  general  sterility  of  the  soil  and  the  consequent  limitations  of 
agricultural  development.  Notwithstanding  this,  however,  there  are 
in  some  portions  of  the  peninsula  spontaneous  productions  of  the  soil 
which  yield  large  profits.  Principal  among  these  is  the  archil,  or 
Spanish  moss,  used  for  dyeing  purposes,  which  grows  profusely 
throughout  an  extensive  bolt  between  23  22'  and  26  24'  north  lati- 
tude on  the  west  coast.  It  is  not  found  on  the  eastern  or  gulf  side. 
but  its  growth  begins  again,  though  to  a  limited  extent,  on  the  coasts 


158  MEXICO. 

of  Sonora  and  Sinaloa.  Heneque"n  is  found  in  the  central  regions  of 
the  peninsula  and  hemp  in  the  north  near  the  Colorado  River. 

Flora  and  fauna.  Flower-  and  ornamental  shrubs  of  all  the  trop- 
ical species  grow  wild,  while  cabinet  and  dye  woods  are  also  found. 
Like  the  flora,  the  fauna  of  the  territory  is  limited,  the  species 
known  being  similar  to  those  of  the  northern  Mexican  State-.  On  the 
western  coast  the  sperm  or  oil  whale  and  otter  are  found.  The  Gulf 
of  ( lalifornia  abounds  in  shells  and  pearls  from  Mulege*  to  ( 'ape  Porfia, 
while  seals  are  found  in  the  waters  of  Tiburon,  Angel  de  la  Quarda, 
and  San  Lorenzo  islands. 

Climate. — The  climate  is  hot  and  dry  in  the  north  and  temperate 
toward  the  south. 

Agriculture.  -Sugar  cane  and  tropical  fruits  are  successfully  culti- 
vated in  the  humid  sections,  and  the  grape  also  receives  some  atten- 
tion. The  "Anuario  Estadfstico"  for  181*7  estimated  the  number  of 
plantations  in  the  Territory  as  30,  divided  as  follows,  according  to  the 
principal  product:  Sugar  cane.  L0;  cereal-.  1."-:  maguey  (mescal)  1; 
and  cattle  ranges.  6.  For  LHOL-2  the  agricultural  production  of  the 
Territory  i-.  according  to  official  statistics,  as  follow.-:  Cereal-.  sT.V-l'4: 
sugar-cane  products,  except  rum.  L,641,000  kilos,  at  1180,000;  mescal, 
$8,350:  hemp.  $3,000;  grape  wine.  $11,645;  tanning  barks.  *1S,000; 
me-<|uite  wood,  $251,340;  sugarcane,  $30,000. 

Mining.  -The  principal  mineral  products  of  the  peninsula  are  gold, 
silver,  copper,  load,  gypsum,  and  coal.  Physically  the  Territory 
might  be  divided  into  three  sections  -the  northern,  or  gold-bearing; 
the  southern, or  argentiferous,  and  the  central, or  copper  region.  Sil- 
ver and  other  minerals  are  found  here.  The  former  name  of  the  Ter- 
ritory was  Real  de  San  Antonio.  West  of  this,  in  the  same  cordillera, 
i-  Mineral  del  Triunfo.  the  site  of  very  important  reduction  works. 
In  the  municipalities  of  La  Pa/.  San  Antonio.  Santiago.  Mulege,  Co- 
mandu,  and  Ensenada  gold  is  found:  silver  in  San  Antonio,  La  Paz, 
Todos  Santo-.  Santiago.  San  Jose  del  C'abo,  Mulege,  and  Comandfi. 
and  copper  is  most  abundant  in  La  Paz.  San  Antonio,  Todos  Santos, 
Mulege",  I  'omandu.  and  Santa  Rosalia,  the  latter  being  the  most  impor- 
tant mining  region.  It  is  south  of  La  Paz.  and  its  many  mines  were 
tir-t  worked  by  the  Jesuits  in  L700.  The  mines  of  this  section  in 
exploitation  yield  about  200,000  tons  of  metal  annually.  Lead  is  found 
in  San  Antonio  and  Mulege  and  coal  in  Santiago.  There  are  abundant 
salt  deposits,  the  principal  being  the  "Ojo  de  Liehre."  on  the  western 
coast,  and  those  of  the  islands  of  Fl  Carmen  and  San  Jose*  on  the  east. 
The  number  of  mining  claims  registered  to  December  31,  L901,  amounted 
to  507.  covering  4.7t>r>  hectares,  and  the  total  output  of  the  8  mines 
then  in  operation  was  260,990,610  kilos,  with  a  valuation  of  $1,590,642. 

Tradi .  The  foreign  trade  of  the  Territory  is  clone  through  the  cus- 
tom-houses of  La  Paz,  San  Jose  del  Cabo.  Santa  Rosalia,  and  Todos 


TKPIC. 


Santos.      In   1901-2   this  trade,  according  to  the 
distica  Fiscal"  for  that  period,  was  as  follows: 


159 

Boletin  de  Esta- 


Imports. 

Exports. 

870, 279 

1,452 

957, 960 

176, 426 

$729, 438 

16,  342 

168, 425 

1,206,117 

914,205 

Communications. — In  addition  to  the  several  high  roads  and  mule 
paths,  the  Territory  contains  two  steam  railways,  one  belonging-  to 
the  El  Progreso  Mining  Compan}r  and  the  other  to  the  Boleo  Mining- 
Company,  the  former  in  Triunfo  and  the  latter  in  Santa  Rosalia,  and 
measuring  10  and  3.5  kilometers  in  length,  respectively.  Several 
lines  of  steamers  ply  between  the  ports  of  the  peninsula,  six  Mexican 
vessels  and  one  American  being  engaged  in  this  coast  trade.  Tele- 
graphic and  mail  communications  are  efficient,  but  telephone  service 
is  not  very  extended. 

Industries. — Besides  the  industries  directly  derived  from  agriculture 
and  mining,  no  manufactures  of  any  importance  are  established  in  the 
Territory. 

Divisions. — Lower  California  is  divided  into  two  districts — the 
northern,  population  7,583,  and  the  southern,  with  a  population  of 
40,041.  This  latter  is  subdivided  into  two  partidos  and  seven  munici- 
palities; the  Partido  Sur  consisting  of  the  municipalities  of  La  Paz, 
San  Antonio,  Santiago,  San  Jose,  and  Todos  Santos,  and  the  Partido 
Centro  of  Mulege  and  Comondu.  The  principal  city  is  La  Paz,  which 
is  the  capital  of  the  southern  district,  containing  5,046  inhabitants. 
Its  principal  commerce  is  done  with  San  Francisco,  Mazatlan,  Guay- 
mas,  San  Bias,  and  Manzanillo.  Ensenada  de  Todos  Santos  is  the 
chief  town  of  the  northern  district,  with  about  2,000  inhabitants. 
Other  towns  of  importance  are  Santa  Rosalia  and  those  which  bear 
the  names  of  their  respective  municipalities. 

TEPIC. 

The  Territory  of  Tepic,  population  150,098,  whose  capital  city,  bear- 
ing the  same  name,  is  953  meters  above  the  sea  level  and  has  a  popu- 
lation of  15,488,  has  an  area  of  28,371  square  kilometers. 

Boundaries. — The  boundaries  of  the  State  are  the  Pacific  Ocean  on 
the  west,  the  States  of  Sinaloa  and  Durango  on  the  north,  and  .Jalisco 
on  the  east  and  south. 

Situation. — The  Territory,  which  is  situated  between  20°  40'  and 
23°  20'  north  latitude,  was  formerly  a  portion  of  the  State  of  Jalisco, 
but  made  a  free  territory  during  the  administration  of  President 
Lerdo  de  Tejada,  in  recognition  of  the  services  rendered  the  Republic 


L60  MEXK  0. 

of  Mexico  by  the  Indian  Chief  Lozada.     The  coasl  line  of  the  Territory 
measures  500  kilometers  in  Length. 

Climate.  -The   climate   of   the   lowland-   is   hot,    while   that    of  the 

higher  regions  i-  temperate  and  agreeable,  son t  the  high  mountain 

table  land-  and  slopes  being  cold. 

Topography.  -The  Sierra  Madre  range  traverses  the  Territory  from 
southeast  to  northeast.  The  eastern  portion  «>f  Tepic  is  exceedingly 
mountainous.  Precipitous  cliffs  and  deep  barrancas  (canons)  occur  with 
great  frequency.  At  the  bottom  of  some  of  these  are  rapid  moun- 
tain stream-,  many  of  which  empty  into  Santiago  River.  'The  west- 
ern part  of  the  Territory  is  level,  and  is  crossed  by  numerous  -mall 
rivers  and  creeks.  These  streams  overflow  during  the  rainy  season 
and  flood  the  plain-  through  which  they  pass,  enriching  the  soil  and 
rendering  it  wonderfully  fertile  and  productive.  In  the  -out  hern  part 
of  the  Territory,  in  the  district  of  Ahuacathin.  the  country  is  almost 
entirely  of  volcanic  origin.  In  this  part  of  Tepic  i-  found  the  cele- 
brated volcano  Ceboruc,  1. 525  meter-  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  In 
1870  this  volcano  was  in  a  state  of  great  activity,  and  threw  out 
immense  quantities  of  lava  and  ashes.  Not  far  from  Ceboruc  i-  the 
celebrated  Sangangiiey  Peak,  which  rises  to  a  height  of  2,000  meters 
above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

Hydrography. — The  principal  river  that  run-  through  the  Territory 
i-  the  Lerma,  or  Santiago,  which  originates  in  the  tributaries  (hat  flow 
into  Lake  Chapala.  in  the  State  of  Jalisco.  This  important  river 
emptie-  into  the  Pacific  Ocean  just  to  the  north  of  the  port  of  San  Bias. 
Many  smaller  streams  are  found  in  the  Territory,  a  number  of  which 
could  easily  be  n-edfor  irrigating  the  fertile  valleys  through  which 
they  pass.  The  extension  of  the  maritime  coast  line  i-  about  300  kilo- 
meter-, ainl  San  Bias  is  the  principal  port. 

Resources.  Agriculture,  mining,  and  cattle  breeding  are  the  main 
resources  of  the  Territory. 

Agriculture. — The  agricultural  productions  of  the  Territory  are 
numerous  and  abundant.  They  are  similar  in  variety  and  number  to 
the  productions  of  the  famous  agricultural  State-  of  Veracruz,  Puebla, 
and  Oaxaca.  The  valley  of  Jala  i-  famous  for  its  great  productive- 
ly--, the  fertility  of  the  soil  being  such  that  the  planting  of  one  bushel 
of  corn  is  -aid  to  yield  six  hundred  fold.  Besides  cereals,  cotton. 
tobacco,  sugar  cane,  coffee,  bean.-,  and  rice  grow  luxuriantly.  Agri- 
culture i-  the  chief  industry  of  Tepic  and  corn  and  bean-  are  raised 
in  considerable  quantities  all  over  the  Territory.  Wheat  and  other 
cereals  grow  in  the  districts  of  Ahuacatlan  and  Tepic:  rice  in  Com- 
postela.  Tepic.  Ahuacatlan.  and  San  Bias:  cotton  in  Acaponeta  and 
Santiago  Ixcuintle;  and  coffee,  tobacco,  and  sugar  cane  in  all  the  dis- 
tricts of  the  Territory.  According  to  the  "Guia  General,"  Tepic  has 
48  large  plantations.  7  of  which  are  devoted  exclusively  to  the  culti- 


TEPTC. 


161 


vation  of  cotton,  4  to  coffee,  22  to  sugar  cane,  and  15  to  wheat,  barley, 
and  other  grains.  Samples  of  coffee  grown  in  the  Territory  of  Tepic 
sent  to  New  York  have  been  pronounced  to  be  of  very  fine  grade,  and 
similar  samples  sent  to  Hamburg  were  valued  at  a  price  exceeding  not 
only  the  Brazilian  coffee,  but  also  that  of  Cordoba  and  other  coffees 
from  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico.  The  best  coffee  lands  are  to  be 
found  in  the  district  of  Compostela  in  a  zone  parallel  to  the  ocean 
and  at  an_  elevation  of  800  meters.  Tobacco  is  exported  to  Central 
America,  which  consumes  about  1,000,000  kilograms  annually  of  this 
product  grown  on  the  west  coast  of  Mexico.  This  industry  is  sus- 
ceptible of  great  development.  Rubber  trees  grow  wild,  but  up  to 
the  present  time  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  establish  plantations. 
The  same  can  be  said  of  Yucatan  henequen.  The  soil  is  also  suitable 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  olive  tree. 

The  agricultural  production  of  Tepic  for  the  year  1901-2  is  officially 
given  in  the  "Anuario  Estadistico ,"  for  1902,  as  follows:  Rice,  $142,46»>; 
barley,  $15,450;  corn,  $1,352,936;  pease,  $406,802;  sugar-cane  products 
except  rum,  2,452,610  kilos,  valued  at  $446,686;  rum,  $37,500;  maguey 
products,  $25,039;  ixtle,  $2,096;  cotton,  $144,080;  tanning  barks, 
$5,000;  coffee,  $159,000;  tobacco,  $169,872;  cedar,  $176,028;  ocote 
wood,  $152,855;  sugar  cane,  372,835,200  kilos,  at  $350,880. 

Stock  raising  is  carried  on  throughout  the  entire  Territory.  A 
number  of  the  large  plantations  have  great  herds  of  cattle,  sheep,  and 
goats,  but  the  industry  is  as  yet  in  its  infancy,  Tepic  contains  every 
natural 'condition  that  could  be  desired  for  the  profitable  raising  of 
live  stock,  and  this  industry  is  constantly  developing  and  growing  in 
importance. 

Mining. — The  territory  is  rich  in  mineral  wealth.  The  principal 
mining  regions  are  as  follows: 


District. 


Mining  camps. 


Class  of  ores. 


Acaponeta 

Ahuacatlan 

Compostela 

Santiago  Ixcuintla 
Tepic 


Motaje 

Mojocuantla 

Teponahuata 

Minitos 

La  Candelaria 

San  Francisco 

Montana  de  Oro 

Castellana  and  San  Ramon  . . 

Pinolillo 

San  Jose1 

Refugio 

Buenavista 

La  Yesca 

La  Kondadera 

Huicicila 

Espiritu  Santo 

Zopilote 

San  Francisco  de  Tenamache 

Aguapan  

Acuilapila 


Silver. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Silver  and  gold. 

Do. 

Do. 
Silver. 

li... 

Do. 
Silver  and  gold. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Silver. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 


Theyj>«fo'oand  lixiviation  processes  are  used  in  treating  the  ores  from 
many  of  these  mines.     A  number  of  the  mining  regions  are  difficult 
509a— 04 11 


162 


MKXh  o. 


of  access,  and  many  mines  are  idle  due  to  the  lack  of  favorable  trans- 
portation facilities.  Much  of  this  natural  wealth  must  necessarily  lie 
dormant  and  undeveloped  until  railroad  communication  is  established. 
Official  figures  for  the  mining  production  of  the  Territory  in  1901-2 
show  that  the  output  of  fourteen  mines  then  in  operation  amounted  to 
51,637,706  kilos,  valued  at  $1,797,984,  while  the  number  of  mining 
claims  recorded  to  the  31st  of  December,  1902,  was  277.  embracing  an 
area  of  1,720  hectares. 

Trade. — The  foreign  trade  of  the  Territory  is  carried  on  through  the 
port  of  San  Bias,  the  figures  for  1901-2  being  officially  given  at 
$126,710  for  imports  and  $205,203  for  exports. 

ComTn/wiications. — There  are  no  railroads  in  the  Territory.  San 
Bias  is  the  principal  port  and  does  a  large  maritime  business  with  the 
entire  Pacific  coast  of  North  and  South  America.  A  great  number  o'.' 
steamships  and  Bailing  vessels  touch  at  this  port  annually.  In  addi 
tion  to  a  large  international  trade,  the  coastwise  trade  is  oi  great 
importance,  and  is  constantly  increasing,  San  Bias  being  a  great  dis- 
tributing and  commercial  center.  A  fairly  good  wagon  road  connects 
San  Bias  with  Tepic  Ahuacatlan.  and  Ixtlan.  and  then  proceeds  to 
Guadalajara  in  the  State  of  Jalisco.  The  other  highways  of  Tepic  are 
not  good,  many  of  them  being  little  more  than  mere  mountain  trails. 
When  constructed,  the  proposed  railway  from  Tepic  to  San  Bias  will 
be  a  powerful  factor  in  the  development  of  the  entire  Territory. 

Industries.  —Considerable  manufacturing  is  carried  on  in  the  Terri- 
tory, and  especially  in  the  city  of  Tepic,  where  there  are  in  operation 
large  cotton,  soap,  and  other  factories,  provided  with  substantial 
buildings  and  equipped  with  modern  machinery  and  appliances.  The 
city  also  contains  a  large  distillery  which  produces  considerable  quan- 
tities of  alcohol  and  mescal. 

Division*. — The  political  divisions  of  the  Territory  are  as  follows: 


District. 

prnla- !           »****■ 

Popula- 
tion. 

21,850 

39, 529     Tepic 

46, 4  IS 

5, 416                Total 

San  Bias  . . . 

150,096 

The  Federal  Government  maintains  Hi  primary  schools  in  the  Terri- 
tory, 36  of  which  are  for  boys,  26  for  girls,  and  29  mixed.  In  1902 
3,019  boys  and  3.412  girls  attended  these  schools,  and  the  sum  of 
$86,623,  Mexican  silver,  was  paid  out  by  the  Government  for  teachers' 
salaries  and  other  necessary  expenses  incurred  for  educational  pur- 
poses. Statistics  show  that  during  the  same  period  there  were  12 
private  schools  in  operation  in  the  Territory,  with  an  enrollment  of 
over  3,671  pupils  of  both  sexes. 


CITIES    AND    TOWNS. 


163 


The  city  of  Tepic,  the  capital  of  the  Territory,  is  situated  on  the 
banks  of  the  Tepic  River  at  an  elevation  of  953  meters  above  the 
level  of  the  sea  and  contains  more  than  15,488  inhabitants.  It  has 
some  fine  buildings,  such  as  the  Calderon  theater,  the  penitentiaiy. 
the  Government  palace,  a  handsome  cathedral,  and  a  number  of  tine 
churches  and  other  public  edifices.  The  city  possesses  a  Chamber  of 
Commerce  and  several  small  but  attractive  parks,  the  most  noted  of 
which  are  Hernan  Cortes  and  Hidalgo.  Beautiful  tropical  and  sub- 
tropical flowers  and  plants  adorn  the  public  parks  and  grow  luxuriantly 
in  the  private  gardens  of  the  city.  The  climate,  though  somewhat 
warm  in  summer,  is  salubrious  and  healthful,  and  with  better  trans- 
portation facilities  the  city  would  undoubtedly  rapidly  increase  in 
population  and  commercial  importance. 

List  of  the  principal  cities  and  towns  of  Mexicoruith  their  population,  according  to  the 

census  of  1900. 


City  or  town. 


Popula- 
tion. 


Mexico  

Guadalajara 

Puebla 

Leon 

Monterrey 

San  Luis  Potosi 

Merida 

Guanajuato 

Pachuca  

Morelia 

Aguascalientea 

Oaxaca  

Queretaro 

Orizaba 

Zacatecas 

Durango 

Chihuahua 

Veracruz 

Toluca 

('■•lava 

Saltillo 

(  lolima 

Xalapa 

Irapuato 

Tacubaya 

Mazatl&n 

i  liudad  Guzman 

i  (he 

Tampico 

Lagos 

Tepic 

Silao 

Parral 

Matehuala 

Torreon 

Salamanca 

Valle  de  Santiago 

Zacapoaxtia 

Sombrerete 

I'ortirio  Diaz 

Teziutlan 

Juchitan 

Colonia  Morelos 

Zacatlan 

San  Francisco  del  Rincon. 

Xochimilco 

Hermosillo 

San  Miguel  Allende 

San  Juan  Bautista 

sal\  atierra 

Tehuan  tepee 

Culiacan 

Victoria 

Real  del  Monte 


Federal  District 

Jalisco 

Puebla 

Guanajuato 

Nuevo  Leon 

San  Luis  Potosi . 

Yucatan 

Guanajuato 

Hidalgo 

Miehoaean 

Aguascalientes . . 

Oaxaca 

Queretaro 

Veracruz , 

Zacatecas 

Durango 

Chihuahua 

Veracruz 

Mexico 

Guanajuato 

Coahuila 

Colinia 

Veracruz 

Guanajuato 

Federal  District . 

Sinaloa 

Jalisco 

Campeche 

Tamaulipas 

Jalisco 

Tepic 

Guanajuato 

Chihuahua 

San  Luis  Potosi.. 

Coahuila 

Guanajuato 

do "... 

Puebla 

Zacatecas  

Guanajuato 

Puebla 

Oaxaca 

Federal  District  . 

Puebla 

Guanajuato 

Federal  District . 

Sonora 

Guanajuato 

Tabasco 

Guanajuato 

Oaxaca 

Sinaloa 

Tamaulipas 

Hidalgo 


344, 
101, 
93, 
63, 
62, 
61, 
43, 
41, 
37, 
37, 
35, 
35, 
33, 
32, 
32, 
31, 
30, 
29, 
25, 
25, 
23, 
20, 
20, 
19, 
18, 
17, 
17, 
17, 
16, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
14, 
14, 
13, 
13, 
12, 
12, 
11, 
11, 
11, 
11, 
11, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 
10, 


721 
208 
521 
263 
266 
019 
630 
486 
487 
278 
052 
049 
152 
894 
S56 
092 
405 
164 
904 
565 
996 
698 
388 
640 
342 
852 
596 
109 
313 


355 
748 
205 
845 
583 
660 
248 
954 
751 
625 
538 
059 
928 
904 
712 
613 
547 
543 
393 
386 
3S0 
08C 
008 


164 


Ml  XIOO. 


List  of  (he  principal  cities  and  towns  of  Mexico,  with  their  population,  according  to  ih* 

sua  of  1900 — Continued. 


City  '<t  town. 


Tenancingo 

Tlatlauquitepec 

(JruapAn 

San  Luis 'i<'  la  Paz  . . . 

i  luernavaca 

Ciudad  Jimenez 

Atlixco  

San  Pedro 

Teocalticbe 

San  Andres  Tuxtla  .. 

Guaymaa  

Coatepec 

Rosano  

Santa  Maria  del  Rio  . 

i  ludad  Garcia 

Matamoros  

Acambaro 

Amecameca  

Penjamo 

Siena  Mojada  

San  Juan  del  Rio 

Ciudad  Juarez 

Cordoba 

Tlaxiaco 

Ameca 

Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz. 
Sh  vula 


State. 


Ciudad  Lerdo.. 

Autlan 

G6mez  Palacio. 
Pit 


inos. 


Patzcuaro 

Cbilpancingo  . 
Atzcapotzalco. 
Iguala 


Babuayo  

Chilapa 

Mapimi 

Chalchicomula 
Zantla 


Santa  Cruz 

Catorce 

[xtapalapa 

Huatusco 

Tehuacan 

La  Barca 

Linares 

Tula 

Cholula 

Monclova 

Laredo 

Zacoalco 

Dolores  Hidalgo 

Huamantla 

Parraa  de  la  Puente 

Kl  Carmen 

<  luetzalan 

Tixtla 

Tlacotalpan 

Zacbila 

Valle  de  Bravoe 

Presnillo 

Matamoros 

Cuautla  Morclos 

Mixcoac  

san  Mateo  Atenco. . 

Yautepec 

Libres 

Zit&cuaro 

Morole6n 

Atotonilco  el  Alto  . . 

Acatl&n 

Tepatitlan 

Zumpango 

Santiago  Tuxtla 

Texcoco  

Tenango 

Guadalupe  Hidalgo. 

Rioverde 

Zoqultlan 

Yuriria 


Mexico 

I'll. 'Ma 

Michoac&n 

i  .ualiujiiatii 

Morelos 

Cbibuabua 

Puebla 

Coahuila 

Jalisco 

Veracruz 

Sonora 

Veracruz 

Sinaloa 

San  Luis  Potosi  . 

Zacatecas 

Tamaulipas 

Guanajuato 

Mexico 

Guanajuato 

Coahuila 

Queretaro 

Chihuahua 

Veraeruz 

Oaxaca 

Jalisco 

Coahuila 

Jalisco 

Durango  

Jalisco 

Durango  

Zacatecas 

Micboacan 

Guerrero 

Federal  District  . 

Guerrero 

Micboac&n 

Guerrero 

Durango 

Puebla 

do 

Guanajuato 

San  Luis  Potosi  . 
Federal  District  . 
Veracruz 

Puebla  

Jalisco 

Nuevo  Leon 

Tamaulipas 

Puebla 

Coahuila 

Tamaulipas 

Jalisco 

Guanajuato 

Tlaxeala 

Coahuila 

i  lampeche 

Puebla 

Guerrero 

Veracruz 

Oaxaca 

Mexico. 


Zacatecas 

Puebla 

Morclos 

Federal  District. 

Mexico 

Morclos 

Puebla 

Michoacan 

Guanajuato 

Jalisco 

Puebla 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

Veracruz 

Mexico 

..do. 
Federal  District. 
San  Luis  Potosi . . 

Puebla 

Guanajuato 


Popula- 
tion. 


CITIES    AND    TOWNS. 


165 


List  of  the  principal  cities  <iml  towns  of  Mexico,  with  tJieir  population,  according  to  the 
census  of  1900 — Continued. 


City  or  town. 


State. 


Popula- 
tion. 


Tlacolula  

Metepec 

Cocula 

Arandas 

Lerma 

Ciudad  GonzAlez 

Ticul 

Miahuatlan 

Chilac 

Cotija 

Cortazar 

EtzatUln 

Tuxpan 

Eneamaci6n  de  Diaz  . . 

Comonfort 

Tlatlaya 

Coloni'a  Hidalgo 

Roinita 

Progreso  

Tac&mbaro 

La  Paz 

La  Canada 

Zacatelco  (Santa  Ines) 

Valladolid 

El  Oro 

Tetela 

Acapulco 

Angangueo 

Milpa  Alta 

Montemorelos 

Lampazos 

Tlalpan 

Camargo 

Viesca 

Muzquiz 

Omctepee 

Tolim&n 

Zinapt'cuaro 

Jiquilpan 

Huetamo 

Texcaltitlan 

Tecamachalco 

Cuitzeo  de  Abasolo 

Xiutetelco 

Villaldama 

Ocuilan 

Magdalena 

Coatepec  Harinas 

Tequisquiapan 

Jiquipileo 

Coacuilco 

Canoa 

Malinalco 

Zacapu 

Sabinas  Hidalgo 

Salamanca 

Coatepec 

Coapanoaya 

Cadereyta  Mendez 


Oaxaca 

Mexico 

Jalisco 

do 

Mexico 

Guanajuato 

Yucatan 

Oaxaca 

Puebla 

Michoacan 

Guanajuato 

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Veracruz 

Jalisco 

Guanajuato 

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Federal  District . 

Guanajuato 

Yucat&n 

Michoacan 

Baja  California. . 

Queretaro 

Tlaxcala 

Yucatan 

Mexico 

Puebla 

Guerrero 

MichoacaVn 

Federal  District  . 

Nuevo  Leon 

do 

Federal  District . 

Chihuahua 

Coahuila , 

do 

Guerrero 

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do 

do 

Mexico 

Puebla 

Guanajuato 

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Nuevo  Le6n 

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Federal  District . 

Mexico 

Queretaro 

Mexico 

Hidalgo 

Puebla 

Mexico 

Michoacan 

Nuevo  Leon 

Guanajuato 

Mexico 

do 

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G75 
66K 
616 
608 

601 
590 
587 
564 
541 
517 
487 
473 
455 
453 
404 
298 
284 
242 
125 
070 
046 
036 
003 
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978 
961 
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868 
840 
767 
733 
732 
709 
676 
622 
597 
581 
439 
436 
388 
363 
350 
347 
315 
261 
257 
208 
161 
156 
15. 
143 
127 
118 
097 
089 
082 
041 
037 
021 


CHAPTER  VII. 

AGRICULTURE— REVIEW  OF  THE  AGRICULTURAL  WEALTH  OF 
THE  COUNTRY— PRINCIPAL  PRODUCTS,  THEIR  CULTIVATION. 
FACILITIES  FOR  OBTAINING  GOVERNMENT  LANDS,  LAND 
LAWS,  FOREST  PRODUCTS. 

Mexico  has  been  estimated  to  contain  14,850  square  kilometers  of 
thick  forests,  562,160  square  kilometers  of  wooded  land,  and  L, 265,500 

square  kilometers  of  uncultivated  land. 

Frederick  A.  Ober,  in  one  of  his  works,  draws  attention  to  the  fad 
that  the  shape  of  Mexico  on  the  map  is  that  of  a  cornucopia,  and  calls 
the  Aztec  land  a  "horn  of  plenty."  Nature  has  certainly  showered 
her  gifts  upon  the  Republic  with  lavish  hand.  Her  mines  are  practi- 
cally inexhaustible,  her  forests  rich  in  every  variety  of  precious  woods, 
her  soil  blessed  with  wonderful  fecundity. 

Yet  with  all  these  natural  conditions  in  their  favor  the  Mexican-  for 
more  than  two  centuries  delved  into  the  bowels  of  the  earth  in  search 
of  silver  and  gold,  and  left  the  fields  to  lie  fallow  and  the  forests 
untouched,  save  where  their  products  were  needed  for  purely  domestic 
purposes.  The  far-seeing  Spanish  Bishop  Zum&rraga  recognized  this 
when  he  addressed  to  the  Council  of  the  Indies  the  words  following: 

"This  country  is  very  rich,  very  fertile,  and  thickly  populated.  It 
contains  gold,  silver,  copper,  tin,  precious  stones,  pearl-,  dyestuffs, 
and  lands  abundantly  producing  whatever  is  needed.  Nevertheless 
the  Indians  are  the  poorest  people  in  the  world,  for  they  have  neither 
wool,  hemp,  nor  flax;  nor  have  they  beasts  of  burden.  V\'herefore. 
as  bishop  of  Mexico.  1  feel  bound  to  beg  the  gentlemen  of  the  council 
to  make  an  earnest  effort  looking  to  their  enjoyment  of  these  benefits. 
"He  who  would  reap  must  first  sow:"  but  if.  on  the  contrary,  the  tilling 
of  the  soil  is  neglected  to  engage  solely  in  the  working  of  mines  the 
ruin  of  the  country  is  certain." 

It  has  been  stated  that  had  the  money  which  has  been  spent  in  min- 
ing in  the  country  been  invested  in  agriculture,  Mexico  would  have 
been  at  least  four  times  as  rich  as  it  is  to-day.  It  has  to  go  to  the 
United  States  for  many  of  the  necessaries  of  life.  The  vegetable 
products  of  the  countiy  are  varied  in  the  extreme,  owing  to  the 
diversified  climate.  Its  productiveness  is  perhaps  unsurpassed  by 
any  other  country  on  the  globe.  The  soil  produces  all  the  cereals  and 
all  the  fruits  of  the  United  State-  and  Europe,  besides  those  properly 
incident  to  the  Tropics. 
166 


AGRICULTURAL    WEALTH.  1<>7 

Mexico,  enjoying  as  it  does  a  peculiar  geographical  situation  and 
orography,  may  be  divided  into  three  agricultural  zones  or  regions, 
which  may  be  designated,  according  to  their  principal  productions,  as 
follows: 

(1)  The  sugar  cane  and  rubber  region  in  the  lowlands. 

(2)  The  coffee  region  in  the  temperate  lands. 

(3)  The  region  producing  the  European  cereals  in  the  central  table- 
lands. 

The  most  fertile  region,  that  which  is  almost  spontaneously  pro- 
ductive, is  unquestionably  the  first,  although  it  is  the  one  which  entails 
the  most  suffering,  owing  to  the  climate  and  the  insects. 

In  this  favored  locality  the  soil  is  marvelously  rich.  In  official 
reports  to  the  Department  of  Promotion  appear  statements  which  to 
those  unacquainted  with  that  portion  of  our  continent  would  seem 
incredible.  An  agent  of  that  Department,  reporting  upon  the  lands 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  State  of  Oaxaca,  states  that  on  a  sugar 
plantation  in  the  district  of  Pochutla  there  have  been  found  stalks  of 
sugar  cane  30  feet  in  height;  that  the  tobacco  plant,  which  grows  wild 
there,  has  leaves  25  to  30  inches  in  length;  that  along  the  Toltepec 
River  basin,  in  the  same  district,  the  coffee  trees  reach  the  height  of 
large  trees  and  produce  12  pounds  to  the  tree.  Certain  wild  rubber 
trees  yield  yearly  10  pounds  of  the  dry  substance.  The  vanilla  plant 
grows  wild  also,  and  is  excellent  in  quality.  Three  crops  of  corn  can 
be  taken  from  the  same  field  in  one  year.  Beans  are  so  abundant  that 
they  are  often  sold  in  the  neighborhood  at  the  rate  of  25  cents  per 
100  pounds.  There  are  18  species  of  bananas  and  many  kinds  of  palms, 
one  of  them  yielding  a  much-sought  palm  oil.  One  party  imbued 
with  great  patience  counted  5,000  limes  on  one  wild  lime  tree. 

Along  the  river  bottoms  of  this  well-watered  region  are  millions  of 
acres  of  land  having  a  layer  of  humic  soil  13  to  16  feet  deep. 

In  this  fertile  belt  are  the  States  of  Oaxaca,  Chiapas,  Tabasco,  Cam- 
peche,  Veracruz,  and  Guerrero,  the  principal  agricultural  products  of 
which  are  cacao,  coffee,  sugar  cane,  corn,  beans,  and  rice,  which  are 
abundant,  and  tobacco,  rubber,  pepper,  and  achiote,  cultivated  on  a 
smaller  scale.  Rubber,  vanilla,  pepper,  and  achiote  grow  wild  also. 
The  yucca  plant,  from  which  starch  is  made,  is  found  here  in  great 
quantities,  as  well  as  indigo.  • 

Forests  of  precious  woods  are  encountered  throughout  this  region. 

The  temperate  belt,  although  affording  greater  personal  comforts  in 
the  way  of  climate  and  health-giving  elemeuts,  is  poorly  watered,  and 
the  lands  are  not  so  fertile  as  in  the  hot  region. 

The  cold  zone  is  less  fertile  still,  due  to  the  absence  of  streams  and 
the  scarcity  of  rains. 

A  Mexican  authority0  states  that  the  high  lands  in  the  Central 

«Memoria  de  la  Secretaria  de  Fomento,  1892-1896.     Mexico,  1897,  page  101,  section  V. 


L08  m  i:\io.. 

Plateau   can    produce  all    known  varieties  <>f   wheat,  inai/c.  bean.-,  and 

tubercles,  as  will  as  the  agave  (maguey)  and  grapes,  and  arc  also 
adapted  to  stock  raising  and  the  exploitation  of  forest  wood-..     Rice, 

sugar  cane,  tropical  fruits,  cacao,  rubber,  and  cabinet  woods  can  be 
produced  in  the  hot  region,  while  in  the  temperate  zone  (between  500 
and  1,000  meters  altitude)  coffee  grows  abundantly,  and  all  the  fruits 
of  the  earth  can  be  cultivated.     The  same  authority  continues: 

"Speaking  with  regard  to  special  districts,  it  may  be  affirmed  that 
(  foxaca  and  (  niapas  have  no  rival  ( Brazil,  even,  being  included)  in  the 
production  of  excellent  grades  of  coffee  in  unlimited  quantities;  Vera- 
cruz and  Tabasco,  on  the  Gulf  side,  and  the  Territory  of  Tepic,  on  the 
Pacific,  are  actually  capable  of  replacing  Cuba  in  the  quality  of  its 
tobacco  and  the  bulk  of  the  product;  Michoacan  in  one  section,  and 
Chihuahua.  Sonora,  Coahuila.  and  Tamaulipas  in  another,  could  sup- 
ply food  for  millions  of  cattle,  and  Durango,  Jalisco.  Guanajuato, 
Puebla,  and  the  State  of  Mexico  are  capable  of  raising  corn  and  wheat 
in  almost  unlimited  areas,  and  of  supplying  foreign  market-  with  a 
large  portion  of  their  articles  of  consumption  from  cold  and  temperate 
/one-,  and  also  with  some  products  of  the  Tropic-.  Should  we  add  to 
these  the  specialties  of  certain  regions,  such  as  Yucatan  for  henequen 
or  hemp.  Tlaxcala  and  Puebla  for  maguey  (agave),  Tamaulipas  for 
ixtle.  t  loahuila  for  vines,  and  Soconusco  for  cacao,  an  approximate  idea 
may  be  obtained  of  the  incalculable  importance  of  Mexico  as  an  agri- 
cultural country.  Notwithstanding  this,  it  may  be  said  that  national 
agriculture,  even  in  the  face  of  its  recent  progress,  is  yet  in  its  infancy 
and  that  the  -oil  has  only  been  cultivated  on  a  very  limited  scale. 
Neither  the  proportion  between  the  area  now  under  cultivation  and  the 
arable  land,  the  method.-,  machinery,  and  implements  now  employed 
in  the  lields.  nor  the  method.-  now  in  use  for  the  exploitation  and  prepa- 
ration of  certain  agricultural  products  are.  in  general  term-,  -ati-fac 
tory.  Our  export  trade  is  almost  nihil,  save  for  products  as  valuable 
a-  coffee  and  fruits,  or  as  cheaply  produced  as  henequen.  or  a-  near  the 
centers  of  consumption  as  cattle:  and  even  those  mentioned  as  exported 
in  the  largest  quantities  are  not  as  extensively  cultivated  as  is  desirable. 
nor  a-  cheaply  a-  the  country  would  permit." 

There  are  two  main  cause-  for  this  state  of  affaire— lack  of  laborers 
and  of  mean- of  communication — both  restricting  consumption  to  an 
extent  which  necessarily  limits  the  variety  of  production,  and  giving 
preference  to  ordinary  products  over  those  which  are  finer  and  more 
valuable.  The  mountainous  and  broken  formation  of  the  country  has 
always  been,  ami  i-  -till  to  a  certain  extent,  an  obstacle  to  rapid  and 
economic  transportation  of  merchandise,  as  it  hinders  the  establish- 
ment of  permanent  currents  of  traffic,  cither  by  land  or  water,  and 
deprives  the  agriculturist  of  the  advantages  of  natural  irrigation  in 
certain  regions,  which  are  for  this  reason  arid  and  impassable  deserts. 


government's  atd.  169 

The  authority  quoted  adds  that  another  factor  in  the  slow  develop- 
ment of  agriculture  in  the  country  has  been  the  ignorance  of  the 
farming  population  in  the  matter  of  the  preparation  of  the  soil  and 
the  use  of  fertilizers  and  other  improved  methods  of  cultivation. 

The  Government  of  Mexico  has  shown  a  decided  interest  in  improv- 
ing these  conditions,  and  for  several  years  the  Department  of  Promo- 
tion has  been  endeavoring  to  disseminate  among  the  agricultural 
classes  information  tending  to  educate  them,  teaching  them  improved 
and  scientific  methods  of  cultivation,  irrigation,  fertilization,  and 
drainage  of  the  soil,  and  calling  their  attention  to  those  products 
which  could  be  advantageously  cultivated  in  the  different  zones  of  the 
Republic.  With  this  object  in  view,  the  Department  issues  a  monthly 
bulletin  of  agriculture,  mining,  and  industries,  and  publishes  from 
time  to  time  important  works  on  special  subjects,  which  are  exten- 
sively circulated  among  the  agriculturists.  The  results  accomplished 
by  these  publications  have  been  most  favorable  to  the  agricultural 
interests  of  the  countiy,  so  far  having  occasioned  the  establishment 
and  development  of  the  culture  of  the  grape  and  other  fruits  and  of 
forage  plants,  and  also  the  introduction  of  apiculture  and  sericulture. 
In  order  to  further  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  Republic,  the 
Department  has  imported,  for  gratuitous  distribution  among  the  most 
advanced  agriculturists,  seeds  and  plants,  and  has  also  encouraged 
agricultural  fairs  and  expositions.  The  distribution  began  with  vine 
shoots  and  olive-tree  slips  and  other  plants,  the  cultivation  of  which 
is  giving  excellent  results.  The  cultivation  of  the  grape  has  received 
especial  impetus  in  the  States  of  Coahuila,  Chihuahua,  and  Guanajuato. 
President  Diaz,  in  his  message  to  Congress  April  1,  1903,  refers  to 
agriculture  in  the  following  language: 

"National  agriculture  continues  to  receive  aid  from  the  federation 
by  means  of  the  free  distribution  of  seeds  for  new  cultures  or  for  the 
extension  of  cultures  already  in  exploitation,  such  as  the  distribution 
of  slips  of  the  grapevine,  which  are  givenaway  with  profusion,  of  seeds 
of  the  chaparro  sal  ado,  Sumatran  tobacco,  giant  corn,  jute,  huayule, 
and  some  others.  The  exploitation  of  national  lands  has  increased, 
owing  to  the  grants  made,  which  embrace  419,000  hectares." 

At  the  beginning  of  1892  there  were  imported  1,030,000  shoots  of 
the  vine  (simple)  and  11,000  with  roots,  which  were  distributed  among 
the  States  of  Coahuila,  Chihuahua,  and  other  points  on  the  Central 
Plateau  and  the  south  of  the  Republic.  This  was  attended  with  excel- 
lent results,  and  toward  the  end  of  the  liscal  year  1893  shoots  to  the 
number  of  3,500,000  were  imported,  principally  from  Lower  Califor- 
nia, together  with  72,000  olive  slips  and  16,000  other  fruit-bearing 
trees.  The  distribution  has  continued,  the  shoots  and  slips  of  trees 
already  acclimated  being  also  used  for  the  purpose. 


170  MEXICO. 

In  certain  localities  the  cork  tree  {Quercus  &iiber)ha&  been  intro- 
duced, as  well  a>  the  "( Jhoro-gi  "  ( Hachys  tvbi/fi  ra),ati  excellent  tuber 
of  the  potato  family  indigenous  to  Germany.  Seeds  of  the  fodder  plant 
called  Zacat&n  cU  Guinea  have  also  been  imported  and  distributed* 
This  plant  requires  but  little  care  and  irrigation,  and  its  cultivation 

on  Mexican  soil  has  been   very  successful.      S  eds  ,»)'  the  "Riga"  Max 

have  been  imported  and  distributed  with  a  view  to  encouraging  the 

cultivation  of  the  plant  and  the  establishment  of  the  industries  derived 
from  its  exploitation. 

For  the  purpose  of  establishing  the  silkworm  industry  in  the  coun- 
try, seeds  of  the  best  varieties  of  the  mulberry  tree  for  gratuitous 
distribution  were  imported  from  Italy,  the  result-  so  far  obtained 
being  satisfactory.  Chinese  and  Japanese  cocoons  were  ordered  from 
San  Franeiseo,  Cal.,  but  the  latter  varieties  were  not  obtainable. 
Cocoons  of  a  good  quality  have  been  imported  from  France  and  dis- 
tributed gratis.  The  results  obtained  in  this  branch  of  industry  were 
shown  at  the  Sericultural  Exposition  held  in  Lrapuato  in  ls<.»;>.  when 
the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  Mexican  product  attracted  great  atten- 
tion. The  silk  industry  may  therefore  now  be  regarded  as  existenl 
in  the  country,  its  development  having  been  noteworthy,  and  the 
product  remarkable  for  beauty  and  finish.  Distribution  has  also  been 
made,  among  such  agriculturists  as  applied  for  them,  of  seeds  of 
Kafir,  tobacco,  sugar  cane,  agave,  and  Max. 

The  efforts  of  the  Department  to  promote  the  agricultural  interests 
of  the  country  have  not  been  confined  to  the  importation  and  distri- 
bution of  seeds  and  plants.  Research  and  investigation  have  been 
extended  to  various  industries,  among  others  the  cultivation  of  sugar 
cane  and  the  manufacture  of  its  products;  also,  apiculture  and  the 
cultivation  of  coffee,  cotton,  sesamum  or  benne  seed,  leguminous  plants. 
and  tubers  have  received  attention.  Frequent  studies  have  been  made 
of  the  diseases  and  plagues  affecting  certain  plants,  and  the  results  have 
been  published  and  extensively  circulated  among  interested  parties. 

The  preservation  of  the  national  forests,  their  replanting,  and  method- 
ical exploitation,  have  been  matters  of  interest  and  investigation  on  the 
part  of  the  Department  of  Promotion,  as  the  indiscriminate  felling  of 
trees  at  all  seasons  w-as  gradually  destroying  the  forests;  this  being 
especially  the  case  since  the  advent  of  railroads  and  the  increased 
number  of  industrial  establishments  using  timber  instead  of  iron  as 
constructive  material,  and  wood  instead  of  coal  as  fuel,  the  Latter  com- 
bustible not  being  obtainable  at  a  fair  price  in  sufficient  quantities. 
A  law  has  been  enacted  on  this  subject,  the  regulations  stating  in 
detail  the  duties  of  the  officers  appointed  by  the  Government  to  the 
care  of  the  forests;  the  rules  and  principles  to  which  the  exploitation 
of  the  forests  and  their  products  are  subjected;  the  rules  to  be  followed 
in  making  contracts  and  in  cutting  down  the  trees,  and  also  creating  a 


IRRIGATION.  171 

S 

reservation  of  national  lands  for  forestry,  allotting  2,311,445  hectares 
to  the  State  of  Chihuahua  and  203,635  to  the  State  of  Chiapas. 

With  the  same  object  of  fostering-  the  agricultural  interests  of  the 
country,  several  agricultural  expositions  have  been  very  successfully 
held  and  prizes  have  been  awarded  to  the  best  exhibitors,  and  fairs  for 
the  exhibition  of  cattle,  implements,  machinery,  agricultural  products 
in  general,  flowers,  fishes,  fruits,  etc.,  have  contributed  to  the  same 
ends.  During  these  fairs  the  plan  of  giving  lectures  on  several  topics 
was  adopted,  viz,  on  the  usefulness  of  stock  raising;  the  cross-breeding 
and  acclimatization  of  cattle;  the  usefulness  and  value  of  agricultural 
machinery;  on  sericulture,  horticulture,  and  other  important  subjects. 

One  of  the  most  important  problems  to  be  solved  affecting  the  rapid 
development  of  agriculture  in  Mexico  is  the  lack  of  proper  irrigation, 
which  can  only  be  compared  in  magnitude  to  the  scarcity  of  labor. 
Mexican  territory,  owing  to  its  topograph}-,  has  no  natural  irrigation. 
The  land  rises  abruptly  from  the  coast  to  a  habitable  altitude  of  over 
3,000  meters,  thus  creating  a  serious  and  insurmountable  obstacle  both 
to  the  retention  and  gradual  absorption  of  the  rain  waters  which  are 
precipitated  over  the  rough  surface  of  the  land,  passing  with  great 
rapidit}r  over  the  fields  and  river  beds  in  their  course  to  the  sea,  leav- 
ing behind  a  deplorable  and  ruinous  drought,  and  in  some  places  an 
almost  perpetual  aridity.  An  extended  rainy  season  is  of  especial 
necessity  to  the  profitable  cultivation  of  the  soil  in  all  the  central 
table-land,  the  cold  region,  and  in  a  large  portion  of  the  temperate 
region,  but  when  the  rainfall  is  scanty,  as  is  the  case  in  extensive  sec- 
tions of  the  northern  frontier  and  in  other  regions,  viz,  the  States  of 
San  Luis  Potosi  and  Zacatecas,  or  when  there  is  any  alteration  in  its 
period,  the  crops  are  lost,  the  cattle  suffer  and  the  consequences  are- 
felt  in  all  other  industries.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  Mexican 
Government  realized  that  a  matter  of  such  vital  importance  could  not 
be  left  entirely  to  private  initiative,  and  therefore  framed  a  law  bearing 
date  of  June  5,  1888,  authorizing  the  Executive  to  grant  concessions, 
eithei\to  private  parties  or  to  companies,  for  the  use  of  the  waters  of 
the  Republic  for  irrigation  purposes  or  as  motive  power  in  industries. 

The  privileges  granted  by  these  concessions  are: 

(1)  Exemption  for  five  years  from  all  Federal  taxes,  the  stamp  tax 
excepted,  on  all  moneys  invested  in  the  survey,  construction,  and 
repairs  of  the  works  mentioned  in  the  concession. 

(2)  The  introduction,  free  of  import  duties,  for  the  first  time  only, 
of  the  machinery,  scientific  instruments,  and  necessary  apparatus  for 
the  survey,  construction,  and  exploitation  of  said  works. 

(3)  The  right  to  occupy  gratuitously  the  public  and  national  lands 
for  the  passage  of  canals  and  for  the  construction  of  dams  or  dikes 
and  reservoirs. 

(4)  The  right  to  expropriate  for  public  utility  any  lands  belonging 


172 


MEXICO. 


to  private  parties,  indemnification  being  previously  mad i  the   atne 

i>:ivj-  as  that  governing  railroad  concessions. 
The  concessionaires  are  under  tin-  following  obligations: 

(1)  To  make  a  deposit  <>r  surety  in  bonds  of  the  public  debt. 
(l')  To  submit  for  the  approval  <>t'  the  1  department  of  Promotion  the 
plans,  outlines,  and  reports  describing  the  work. 
(3)  To  respect  the  rights. of  third  parties,  submitting  any  differences 

to  the  action  of  the  courts,  and  to  admit  and  defray  the  expenses  of 
any  inspecting  engineer  appointed  by  the  Executive. 

The  law  also  authorizes  the  Executive  to  grant  tire  entry  into  the 
country  of  the  machinery  and  apparatus  necessary  to  the  employ 
of  the  waters,  either  for  agricultural  or  industrial  purposes,  if  the 
concession  has  hern  granted  by  ;t  State,  provided  the  companies  give 
security  for  the  performance  of  the  work  in  accordance  with  the  rules 
and  limitations  established  by  the  Federal  Executive.  On  tin-  L8th  of 
September,  1896,  this  law  was  regulated  by  another,  which  has  given 
excellent  results,  many  of  the  old  concessionaires  having  taken  advan- 
tage of  its  provisions.  These  laws  have  been  framed  not  only  to  pro- 
vide for  the  irrigation  of  the  lands,  hut  also  for  the  use  of  the  water 
as  motive  power,  thus  opening  :i  new  and  extended  future  to  the 
industrial  progress  of  the  Republic. 

PRINCIPAL   PRODUCTS. 

Cereals. — Corn,  wheat,  barley,  and  rice,  in  the  order  given,  are  the 
principal  cereals  cultivated  in  Mexico. 

Corn.  This  product  is  an  eminently  Mexican  staple,  serving  as 
nutriment  for  man  and  beast  and  being  the  principal  article  of  food 
for  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants,  who  consume  it  in  the  form  of 
cakes  called  tortillas.  According  to  the  figures  given  by  the  "Anuario 
Estadlstico"  for  L901  and  1902,  the  production  of  corn  from  1897  to 
1901,  inclusive,  was  as  follows: 


Year. 

Production. 

Value. 

Year. 

Production, 

Value. 

1897 

Hectoliters. 

12,  1 

89,238,300 
32,927,278 

82,671 

82,  108,009 
71,s07,205 

1900 

Hectoliti  r». 
82, 492, 489 
32,93l.7">7 

187,301,928 

1898 

1901 

103, 159, 0-27 

1899 

The  following  figures  show  the  increase  in  price  per  hectoliter:" 

1897 $2.02  I  1900 $2.65 

1898 2. 09      1901 S.  13 

1899 2.14  | 

The  total  production  for  the  year  1901-2,  according  to  the  same 
authority,  amounted  to  27,521,808  hectoliters,  valued  at  $78,411,844. 

WJuat. — At  tin1  time  of  the  conquest,  according  to  the  historian 
Bancroft. ''  the  only  European  cereal  raised  in  Mexico  to  any  extent 

"A  hertoliter  is  equivalent  to  2.8.379  bushels. 

t>  History  of  Mexico,  Vol.  Ill,  Chap.  XXIX,  p.  611,  1883. 


WHEAT.  173 

was  wheat,  and  although  the  climatic  conditions  were  propitious,  the 
lack  of  moisture,  which  could  only  be  overcome  by  irrigation,  would 
frequently  hinder  its  cultivation.  Notwithstanding  this  drawback,  the 
yield  exceeded  the  average  returns  obtained  in  Europe,  being,  in  some 
instances,  as  high  as  seventy  or  eighty  fold.  One  of  the  varieties, 
which  was  cultivated  chiefly  in  the  neighborhood  of  Puebla,  and  called 
trigo  blanquUlo,  was  remarkable  for  its  abundant  yield.  In  1677  its 
cultivation  was  forbidden  by  a  decree  of  the  Viceroy  and  "Audiencia" 
as  injurious  to  health,  but  it  was  resumed  in  1692. 

The  transportation  facilities  offered  b}T  the  great  American  railroad 
systems  has  given  great  impetus  to  the  raising  of  this  grain,  and 
Mexico  is  becoming  a  wheat-growing  country.  Wheat  grows  on  the 
plateau  of  Mexico  at  an  elevation  of  from  6,000  to  9,000  feet  above 
sea  level  and  between  the  eighteenth  and  twenty-fourth  parallels  of 
latitude.  The  area  best  adapted  to  its  cultivation  comprises  some 
52,000  square  miles,  over  one-third  of  which  could  be  planted  in  wheat 
without  serious  detriment  to  the  other  agricultural  interests  of  the 
country.  This  land  is  situated  in  the  States  of  Michoacan,  Jalisco, 
Guanajuato,  Aguascalientes,  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  Queretaro. 

The  Mexican  plan  of  cultivation  makes  it  possible  to  take  off  the 
land  three  crops  every  two  years- — one  crop  of  wheat  and  two  crops 
of  corn.  The  average  yield  of  wheat  per  acre  is  about  20  bushels  and 
of  corn  about  50  bushels  on  irrigated  soils  and  about  30  to  35  on  dry 
lands.  These  are  considered  conservative  figures.  Were  this  wheat 
area  cultivated  to  its  fullest  capacity,  the  wheat  and  corn  yield  of  one- 
third  of  the  52,000  square  miles  of  suitable  lands  would  be:  Wheat, 
110,000,000  bushels,  and  corn,  440,000,000  bushels  per  year,  according 
to  a  conservative  estimate  made  in  1883.  This  immense  yield  would 
all  be  available  for  foreign  markets,  as  the  home  consumption  could 
be  always  provided  for  by  the  outlying  lands.  Since  the  date  of  this 
estimate,  improved  machinery  and  more  systematic  treatment  of  the 
soil  have  considerably  increased  the  yield  of  the  lands  devoted  to  the 
cultivation  of  the  cereals  mentioned,  which  are  by  no  means  all  that 
could  be  utilized  in  this  way. 

Wheat  in  Mexico  is  grown  entirely  in  the  table-lands  and  in  places 
where  irrigation  is  possible.  Where  the  haciendas  sire  irrigated  b}^ 
the  more  modern  method  of  extensive  irrigating  canals  with  small 
streams,  and  where  the  elevation  of  the  local  irrigation  ditch  does  not 
exceed  8  or  10  inches,  the  reapers  pass  over  these  ridges  and  they  do 
not  interfere  with  the  working  of  the  machine. 

The  number  of  modern  flour  mills  in  the  Republic  is  estimated  to  be 
about  forty.  The  largest  mill  using  modern  machinery  is  located  in 
Toluca,  in  the  State  of  Mexico,  and  has  an  output  of  500  kilos  per  day. 
There  is  under  construction  in  the  City  of  Mexico  a  mill  a  with  a 


IT  1 


MEXICO. 


capacity  of  600  kilos  a  day.  [n  Guadalajara,  Torreon,  Puebla,  Celaya, 
Guanajuato,  Chihuahua,  Morelia,  and  Orizaba  are  mills  using  modern 
machinery  with  a  capacity  of  from  75  to  LOO  kilos  per  day.  [ntheciij 
of  Auguascalientes,  San  Luis  Potosi,  there  are  several  small  mills,  with 
an  average  capacity  of  .">,,  kilos  per  day.  In  Monterey  there  is  one 
mill  with  a  capacity  of  loo  kilo-  per  day. 

Mexican  wheat  is  small  and  hard,  and  when  properly  milled  makes 
good  flour.  Specimen.-  of  this  wheat  exhibited  at  the  Centennial 
Exposition  at  Philadelphia  in  ls7<i  took  the  first  prize. 

There  are  no  official  figures  showing  the  production  of  flour  in 
Mexico.  However  there  were  4.(iii().iii)()  kilos  imported  into  the 
Republic  in  L902  at  a  nominal  value  of  $130,000,  and  3,500,000  kilos 
of  whea^  with  a  nominal  value  of  sir.o.ono.  The  supply  of  white 
flour  is  far  from  equal  to  the  demand,  and  it  is  due  to  this  fact  that 
the  duty  was  taken  off  the  wheat  so  that  it  might  he  imported  and 
given  to  the  consumer  at  a  reasonable  price. 

The  railway  companies,  at  the  request  of  the  Government,  have 
reduced  the  freight  rate  something  like  It)  per  cent  on  wheat  impor- 
tations. The  demand  for  white  flour  has  increased  so  much  that  even 
the  small  farmers  have  taken  to  growing  it  for  sale  instead  of  corn. 
which  was  formerly  the  custom. 

The  imports  of  wheal  from  the  Tinted  States  amounted  in  L901  to 
$1,498.  In  November,  1902,  the  customs  duty  was  reduced  from  $5 
to  5(>  cents  silver  per  LOO  kilos  (220  pounds)  and  the  importation  from 
the  United  States  increased  in  consequence  to  $731,33*1  in  li>()2  and  to 
$951,572  in  1903. 

Mexican  official  statistics  for  L901-2  show  that  the  total  produc- 
tion of  wheat  for  that  year  amounted  to  229,892,752  kilos,  valued 
at  $24,522,429.  The  principal  States  producing-  this  grain  were  as 
follow-: 


Kilos. 


Value. 


Mlchoac&n 
Sonoia 

iiuaimjuato 

Puebla 

Coahuila . . . 

Mexico 

Durnngo . . . 

.Talisoo 

Quer£taro . . 


521,640 
778,728 
581,297 
225,517 

226,297 
930,850 

204,823 


12,470,219 
2,967,  151 
2,  198,872 
1,912,  173 
1,486,079 
7,241,541 
1,176,220 
998,000 
858,  170 


From  1898  to   1902,  inclusive,  the  production  of  wheat  has  been 
increasing,  except  in  L901,  as  shown  in  these  figures: 


Year. 

Kilos. 

Value. 

1898 

239, 186, 186 
252, 749, 505 
338,263,902 
327, 159, 027 
329, 892. 752 

116,609,735 

1899  . .                                                   

17.iW7.924 

1900  ...                                                   

22,  7*71 

1901  .                                                   

28,800,122 

1902 

24, 5 

COFFEE. 


175 


Barley. — All  the  States  of  the  Republic,  with  the  exception  of 
Campeche,  Colima,  Guerrero,  Tabasco,  and  Yucatan,  produce  barley, 
the  total  production  for  1901-2  being-  officially  given  at  2,130,118 
kilos,  valued  at  $4,916,523,  Puebla  and  Mexico  being  the  largest 
producers. 

Rice. — For  the  year  above  mentioned  the  production  of  rice  amounted 
to  18,126,070  kilos,  with  a  valuation  of  $2,510,233,  Morelos,  Michoacan, 
and  Colima  being  the  largest  producers  out  of  15  States. 

The  following  table  from  the  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  1902  shows 
the  total  cereal  production  of  the  country: 


Rice. 


Barlev. 


Kilos. 


Aguascalientes. . 
Baja  California  . 

<  'ampeche j        45, 300 

Coahuila 1,150 

Colima 2,075,400 

Chiapas 810,727 

Distrito  Federal 

Durango 

Guanajuato 


Value. 


87, 248 

172 

440, 640 

137,  702 


Hecto- 
liters. 


Value. 


Corn. 


Hecto- 
liters. 


Value. 


1,189 
1,352 


26,  052         66, 115 


Guerrero 
Hidalgo... 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

Michoacan 

Morelos j  5,620,447 

Nuevo  Leon 

Oaxaca •       36,978         5,582 

Puebla 2,112,652]      109,019 

Queretaro 


467,231 

31,329 

503, 796 1 

60, 0001 

4, 410, 250] 


62, 

15,5*3 

98.2* 

9,  000 

622,388 

769,  450 


San  Luis  Potosi 

Sinaloa , 

Sonora 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 

Tepic 

Tlaxcala 

Yucatan 

Zacatecas  


59, 197 


1,053,113 


838, 500 


12.  1*5 


107, 430 


112.  160 


Total 18,126.070   2,540,233   2,130,118   4,916.523 


180 
66,414 
6,760 
42,985 


229, 683 

52, 149 

481,727; 

81,132 

894 

26, 986 

17,549 

595,517 

23, 003 

107,070 

160 

4,219 


468 

133 

1,091 

164 

56 

34 

1,328 

52 

319 

21 


9,700 

4,500 

315, 350 


35, 547   153, 615 


1,354,450  54, 

6,  302 

80,  980 

543,431  2, 

631,694,  1, 

656,985;  1, 

357,794  1, 
1,584,226  1. 
1,761,125!  5, 

570,964  1. 

905,680'  2, 
4,050,963  9, 
l,900,739i  6, 
1,807,187  4, 

289, 218 

270, 343 
1,978,434 
2,224,602 

626,  484 
1,532,771 

955, 225 

359, 233 

379,  747 

404,868'  1, 

782,886!  1, 

237, 775 

171,391  1, 
1,096,311  2, 


063, 350 
22, 912 
380, 880 
135, 694 
141,917 
519,796 
427, 533 
664, 548 
449,  805 
017, 906 
057,087 
844, 366 
374, 172 
864, 796 
829,899 
032, 128 
942, 932 

332. 746 
041,694 
247. 437 
653, 087 
973, 660 
146, 012 
146, 763 
352, 936 
886, 977 

209. 747 
651,004 


Wheat. 


Kilos.         Value 


1,767,240 
638,550 


18, 453, 439 


676, 179 

3, 436, 610 

14,930,850 

30,581,297 

805 

2,701,955 

13, 204, 823 

15, 255, 297 

35,521,640 

79, 954 

249, 085 

7,858,708 

22, 225, 517 

12, 765, 359 

666, 263 

225,900 

34,778,728 


8208, 755 
46, 187 


1,435,079 


14,800 
9, 386, 064 


4,473,689 


27, 521, 808  78, 411, 844  229, 892, 752  24, 522, 429 
I 


76, 617 

613, 789 

1,176,220 

2, 493, 372 

60 

193, 525 

998, 002 

7,241,541 

2,470,219 

6,949 

is,  5*5 

498, 905 

1,912,473 

858, 470 

57, 683 

25, 442 

2, 967, 151 


1,184 
844, 694 


377, 527 


Coffee. — Mexican  coffee  is  of  excellent  qualit}-;  that  produced  in 
Uruapam  (Michoacan)  and  in  the  State  of  Colima  has  been  classed  with 
Mocha.  It  is  claimed  that  it  is  possible  to  so  increase  the  raising  of 
coffee  that  Mexico  can  supply  more  of  the  aromatic  bean  to  the  mar- 
kets of  the  world  than  all  other  countries  combined,  save  only  Brazil. 
The  immense  area  adapted  to  its  cultivation  may  be  estimated  when  it 
is  known  that  it  grows  both  in  the  hot  and  temperate  belts.  Hereto- 
fore Mexico  occupied  the  fourth  place  among  the  countries  importing 
coffee  into  the  United  States,  which  is  her  best  market.  Now,  it  is 
asserted,  she  immediately  follows  Brazil,  which  stands  first.  Within 
the  last  ten  years  this  Mexican  product  has  risen  from  the  fifth  to  the 
third  place  in  point  of  quality. 

The  Mexican  consul  in  Antwerp,  Belgium,  in  a  report  states  that 
from  the  1st  of  January,  l!M>4.  all  Belgian  duties  on  Mexican  coffee 
will  be  abolished,  and  that  the  duty  on  roasted  coffee  will  be  10  francs 


]  7<>  MKXK'o. 

per  LOO  kilograms.  The  consul  adds  that  Mexican  coffee  is  oomlng 
rapidly  into  favor  in  Belgium.     It  may  he  added  that  requests  for 

Mexican  coffee  are  rapidly  increasing  iM  (Jennany.  France,  and  Eng- 
land, while  in  the  United  States  there  is  a  great  demand,  and  a  Dumber 
of  concerns  are  giving  their  entire  attention  to  the  Mexican  berry. 
As  a  result,  coffee  raising,  which  has  been  somewhat  stagnant  for  the 
past  few  years,  is  enjoying  a  revival,  and  a  number  of  old-time  planters 
are  preparing  lands  for  setting  out  new  orchards. 

Coffee  is  not  indigenous  to  the  country,  hut  it  was  originally  brought 
from  the  West  Indies  about  1790.  Still,  it  was  not  until  1818  that  the 
plant  was  properly  cultivated,  when  Don  Juan  A.  Gomez,  called  the 
Benefactor  of  Cordoba,  demonstrated  that  Mexico  had  the  soil  and 
climate  essential  to  the  cultivation  of  coffee.  The  berry  is  mostly 
raised  in  Colima,  Oaxaca,  Chiapas.  Guerrero,  Jalisco,  Mexico,  Miehoa- 
can.  Morelos.  San  Luis  Potosi.  Tabasco,  and  Veracruz/' 

""The  coffee  plant  mostly  cultivated  in  .Mexico  is  a  suhvariety  of  the  Mocha,  or 
Coffea  arabica.  This  is  an  evergreen,  partaking  more  of  the  nature  of  a  shrub,  which 
in  a  state  of  cultivation  varies  in  height  from  5  to  7  feet.  The  range  of  this  Bpecies 
is  at  elevations  of  from  1,000  to  5,000  feet  above  sea  level,  south  of  latitude  22° 
north,  where  the  temperature  does  not  fall  below  55°  F. ;  still,  the  most  favorable 
climate  for  it  would  be  where  the  temperature  does  not  fall  below  60°  nor  rise  above 
80°  in  the  shade.  As  to  humidity,  there  should  be  from  ?■">  to  150  inches  of  rain  dur- 
ing the  year,  and  the  plant  should  be  irrigated  during  the  dry  season,  if  required. 
The  myrtle  kind,  which  is  considered  as  second  in  quality,  is  also  extensively  culti- 
vated. It  is  very  similar  to  the  Java,  and  is  distinguished  from  the  Mocha  variety 
by  the  leaf  being  larger  and  the  corolla  smaller.  This  plant  is  hardier  than  the 
Mocha  kind  and  will  stand  higher  temperature;  it  is  mostly  cultivated  in  the  Cordoba 
district  It  will  thrive  well  at  an  elevation  of  from  500  to  3,000  feet  above  sea  level. 
It  is  the  opinion  of  the  writer  that  Liberian  coffee  would  thrive  in  the  hot  climates 
of  Yucatdn,  Campeche,  Tabasco,  and  Veracruz.  This  is  the  hardiest  of  all  the  coffee 
trees  adapted  to  the  climates  of  Mexico,  and  will  stand  a  very  high  temperature. 

"As  the  coffee  tree  has  a  long  taproot,  it  will  thrive  better  on  land  where  the  soil 
is  deep.  The  best  soil  in  Mexico  is  a  well-drained,  loamy  one,  either  of  a  virgin 
mountainous  composition,  or  of  a  volcanic  nature,  rich  in  humus.  A  rocky  soil, 
where  the  earth  is  deep  between  the  rocks,  is  very  suitable,  and  less  manuring  is 
then  required  for  the  plants,  as  the  rocks  are  continually  adding  to  the  soil  by  the 
decomposing  action  of  the  air,  rain,  and  other  natural  forces.  The  climate  most 
adaptable  to  coffee  in  Mexico  is  that  found  in  the  mountainous  regions,  with  a  range 
of  temperature  from  55°  to  86°  F.  The  best  coffee  is  grown  at  elevations  varying 
from  2,200  to  4,500  feet  above  the  sea,  in  sections  south  of  Veracruz;  but  in  loca- 
tions below  latitude  21°  north,  the  north  limit  of  the  coffee  zone  on  the  Gulf  side, 
the  climate  being  cooler,  the  bush  requires  lower  elevations,  ranging  from  600  to 
3,000  feet.  The  plant  is.  however,  cultivated  by  some  plantersat  much  lower  levels, 
and  even  within  a  few  miles  from  the  seashore — for  instance,  in  Misantla,  Acayucan, 
Minatitlan,  and  Tuxtla,  Veracruz;  and  in  Cardenas,  Comalcalco,  Cunduacan, 
Nacayuca,  and  San  Juan  Bautista,  Tabasco.  An  extremely  wet  climate  is  not  favor- 
able to  the  coffee  plant,  and  it  will  not  thrive  in  very  exposed  situations.  If  proper 
a-pect  as  regards  sun  and  winds  can  not  be  obtained,  the  exposure  can  nearly  always 
be  modified  by  shelter  belts  of  trees.  On  the  Pacific  side  the  prevailing  south  winds 
must  be  avoided  at  low  elevations,  and  on  tins  side  the  tree  can  be  planted  at  much 


COFFEE. 


177 


Mr.  Matias  Romero,  who  for  many  years  devoted  his  attention  to 
coffee  culture,  estimated  the  results  of  coffee  raising  as  follows: 


Cost  of 

planting  a 

tree. 

Annual 
product  of 

a  tree. 

Expense  of 
cultivating 

one  tree. 

Net 

profit. 

80. 20i 
.23 
.12 

Pounds. 

0.  4563 
.4563 
1 

SO.  04 
.05 

R  r  cent. 

25  49 

25  15 

90 

Romero's  averages  have  been  considered  too  high  as  regards  the 
cost  of  cultivation  and  too  low  as  regards  the  annual  yield.  In  an 
official  publication8  appears  the  statement  that  in  the  State  of  Chiapas, 
where  the  land  is  good,  and  care  and  economy  have  been  exercised  in 
the  cultivation,  the  following  have  been  the  results: 

Annual  expense  of  cultivation  (one  tree) $0.01 

Annual  yield  for  each  tree pounds. .         10 

In  the  State  of  Oaxaca  on  one  plantation,  21  months  after  planting, 
the  trees  yielded  3  pounds  of  dry  coffee  each. 

In  the  District  of  Choapam.  of  the  same  State,  the  average  crop  is 
6  pounds  of  coffee  for  each  tree,  and  there  are  trees  producing  25 
pounds  of  diy  coffee  a  year.  Romero  takes  1  pound  as  the  average 
yield  of  Mexican  coffee  trees.  In  arriving  at  this  figure  he  takes  into 
consideration  all  kinds  of  coffee  plantations,  those  laid  out  in  poor 
localities,  in  poor  seasons,  and  improperly  cultivated;  but  it  appears 
to  be  pretty  well  settled  that  good  lands,  cultivated  under  proper  con- 
ditions, will  render  crops  of  from  4  to  10  pounds  per  tree.  Col.  E.  C. 
More,  late  United  States  Consul-General  to  Mexico,  agrees  with  Romero 
in  that,  under  present  conditions,  the  profits  of  coffee  raising  are  90 
per  cent  per  annum;  but  that  they  differ  largely  in  the  several  belts 
devoted  to  the  culture  of  the  bean  is  evidenced  b}-  the  fact  that  an 
American  coffee  expert  of  Fortin  and  Cordoba,  State  of  Veracruz, 
states  that  the  profits  reach  150  per  cent.     The  bean  sells,  according 


higher  elevations,  as  the  range  which  branches  off  at  Jalisco  and  joins  the  Toluca 
Mountain  and  the  Popocatepetl  Peak  breaks  off  the  cold  north  winds  ami  shelters 
the  regions  below  it.  As  to  direct  sun  exposure,  when  it  is  desirable  to  take  advan- 
tage of  the  heat  at  high  elevations  it  is  always  convenient  to  acquire,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, a  southern  exposure;  but  where  the  elevation  is  low  and  the  temperature  is 
high  such  an  exposure  would  be  injurious  to  the  plant,  in  which  case  it  is  better  to 
procure  an  eastern  exposure.  Generally,  the  action  of  the  rains  modifies  the  term 
perature  in  the  Tropics,  and  at  elevations  between  2,000  and  4,500  feet  above  sea 
level  clouds  gather  along  the  mountains  almost  even*  day  before  the  rays  of  tin' 
norm  sun  bear  their  strong  influence  in  those  localities.  On  the  Gulf  side  the  trees 
that  have  an  eastern  sun  exposure,  so  that  the  sun  strikes  them  during  the  morning, 
thrive  better  and  yield  more." — (Production  of  coffee  in  Mexico,  U.  S.  Consular 
Reports,  Vol.  LII,  Sept.,  1896,  pp.  103-121.) 
a  Los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos,  R.  de  Zayas  Enriquez,  Mexico,  1893,  p.  458. 

509a— 04 12 


ITS  MEXICO. 

to  class,  ;ii  from  $24  t<»  $32  per  hundredweight,  Mexican  money.  In 
the  Huasteca  Potosina  section  of  Veracruz  coffee  planting  during  the 
past  three  years  has  increased  at  the  rate  of  60  per  cent  a  year.  Gen- 
erally it  costs  $7  silver  to  raise,  pick,  clean,  and  sack  a  hundred- 
weight of  coffee.  Tin'  selling  price  averages  $27  per  hundredweight 
on  the  ground.  The  product  per  acre  is  from  250  to  500  pounds.  The 
value  of  the  exports  to  all  countries  in  1897  was  £lo.*;49.119. 

The  first  recorded  exportation  of  coffee  from  Mexico  to  the  United 
States  was  in  1825,  amounting  in  value  to  $216,850.  The  same  coun- 
try furnished  the  latter  during  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  L898, 
34. 721,168  pounds:  in  1901,  60,459,865  pounds,  and  in  1903,  22,207,086 
pounds.  Latest  available  Mexican  statistics  for  1902  show  that  the 
exports  of  coffee  to  all  parts  of  the  world  amounted  to  22,565,183 
kilos,  valued  at  $10,552,313.  the  United  States  being  the  largest  con- 
sumer, with  14,592,755  kilos,  valued  at  $0, 826, 250.  Germany  occu- 
pies the  next  place,  with  over  3,500,000  kilos,  and  then  follow  France, 
with  nearly  2.(ioi).iMi().  and  England,  with  over  1,700,000  kilos.  During 
the  first  six  months  of  1902-3  the  total  exports  of  this  grain  is  officially 
given  in  the  Boletin  de  Estadistica  Fiscal  at  4,445,615  kilos,  with  a 
declared  invoice  value  of  'S-2.o.-)i i.^73. 

Thenumberof  American  firms  engaged  in  coffee  planting  in  Mexico 
is,  according  to  a  report  of  Consul-General  Barlow."  as  follows: 
Chiapas,  5;  Oaxaea.  13;  Puebla,  1'.*:  Tabasco.  2;  Tepic.  1.  and  Vera- 
cruz, 15 — in  all  55.  Many  of  the  American  firms  ship  their  coffee  to 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  it  is  roasted,  ground,  and  stored  for  sale. 
Much  of  the  product  of  Oaxaea  goes  directly  to  London,  where  it 
enters  into  competition  with  the  best  grades  of  the  South  American 
product. 

The  "Anuario  ^^stadiat^-o^  for  liti»  1-2  gives  the  following  figures  for 
the  production  of  coffee  in  the  fiscal  year  named,  viz.  9,983,546  kilos, 
valued  at  $2,799,317 — the  largest  producer  being  the  State  of  ( Ihiapas, 
with  4,330,81s  kilos,  for  *1, 143. 228,  and  the  State  of  Oaxaea  next 
with  1.800,52:-'.  kilos,  at  over  s;>oo.ooo.  The  same  authority  quotes 
the  following  figures  for  the  production  of  the  berry  for  the  calendar 
years  named: 


Year. 

Kilos.           Value. 

1898  . 

16,363,230      14,000,680 

1899 ...                                                                                  

37,  609, 264        1 1 .  066.  657 

1900 

21,088,123 
27,424,416 

9,983,546 

6,048,609 

1901 

8,  733, 778 

1902 

2, 799, 317 

Total 

112.  168,578 

33,247,911 

Tobacco. 

to  Mexico. 

-The  tobacco  plant  (the  yetl  of  the  Aztecs)  is  indigenous 
Its  cultivation  and   use  soon   became  known  among  the 

"Commercial  Relations  of  the  Chited  states,  L902,  Vol.  I. 


TOBACCO.  17U 

Spaniards  and  was  not  seriously  restricted  for  nearly  two  centuries 
after  the  conquest.  In  1764  the  Crown  appropriated  the  right  to  the 
sale  and  manufacture  of  the  plant,  its  culture  being  confined  to  the 
districts  of  Orizaba,  Cordoba,  Huatusco,  and  Zongolica,  severe  penal- 
ties being  fixed  for  its  cultivation  elsewhere.  The  product  was  pur- 
chased by  the  Government  at  a  stipulated  price,  which  in  turn  sold 
the  leaf  at  a  profit  of  about  200  per  cent.  The  revenues  derived  from 
this  monopoly  in  1783  amounted  to  $777,651;  in  1792,  to  $684,109;  in 
1794,  to  $773,442,  and  in  1801-2,  about  $4,000,000  silver.  Under 
the  Spanish  regime  factories  were  established  in  several  cities,  the 
principal  being  situated  in  Mexico  and  Queretaro,  each  employing 
about  7,000  persons  of  both  sexes,  with  an  aggregate  pay  roll  of  more 
than  $700,000  a  year.  The  annual  product  of  these  establishments 
amounted  to  nearly  $7,500,000,  about  one-half  of  which  belonged  to 
the  Crown. 

In  1868  several  foreign  cultivators  and  manufacturers,  principally 
Cuban,  went  to  Mexico,  where  they  began  to  cultivate  the  plant  on  an 
extensive  scale.  Not  a  little  of  the  success  attained  in  this  industry  is 
due  to  Frenchmen,  as  a  French  writer,  Louis  Lejeune,  in  a  pamphlet 
on  the  subject,  first  drew  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  tobacco  grown 
in  the  upper  valley  of  the  Papaloapan  River  produced  leaves  as  tine 
and  silky  and  even  more  aromatic  than  those  of  the  Vuelta  Abajo,  in 
Cuba.  In  his  pamphlet  Mr.  Lejeune  made  an  elaborate  comparison  of 
the  relative  cost  of  starting  a  tobacco  plantation  in  Cuba  and  in  Mex- 
ico, showing  that  with  silver  at  par,  as  was  the  case  at  the  time  of  his 
writing,  the  expenses  in  Mexico  were  only  about  one-half  as  great  as 
in  Cuba,  not  taking  into  account  the  price  of  land  and  the  cost  of 
transportation.  At  the  Paris  Exposition  (1889)  the  Mexican  product 
obtained  gold,  silver,  and  bronze  medals,  being  considered  equal  to,  if 
not  the  superior,  of  Habana  tobacco.  In  1894  and  1895,  "La  Regie," 
a  department  created  in  France  to  regulate  the  importation  and  traffic 
of  tobacco,  began  to  accept  the  Mexican  product. 

The  Mexican  tobacco  has  a  flavor  peculiarly  its  own,  and  it  grows 
upon  one,  and  where  it  has  been  used  for  any  length  of  time,  as  upon 
the  western  coast  of  the  United  States,  it  is  rapidly  superseding  the 
Cuban  article. 

Tobacco  is  raised  along  the  mountain  country  lying  between  Victoria, 
State  of  Tamaulipas.  and  Campeche,  capital  of  the  State  of  the  same 
name,  also  on  the  Pacitic  slope  of  the  States  of  Chiapas,  Oaxaca, 
Guerrero,  Michoacan,  Jalisco,  Colima,  Sonora,  and  the  Territory  of 
Tepic.  It  is  likewise  cultivated  in  the  interior  districts  of  Morelos, 
Michoacan,  Oaxaca,  Veracruz,  Tamaulipas,  Tabasco,  Guerrero,  Jalisco, 
Colima,  and  the  Territory  Last  above  named.  In  addition  to  the  parts 
named,  the  Government  maps  show  1 13  different  cantons,  or  small 
districts,  where  the  weed   is  now   being  cultivated.      In  the  virgin 


ISO 


MKXK'O. 


valleys  along  the  rirersof  the  States  on  the  Pacific  slope  the  plant 
may  find  the  elements  which  host  meet  its  requirements. 

In  order  to  produce  an  aromatic  and  mild  as  well  as  large  and  fine 
leaf  it  is  necessary  that  the  soil  should  be  sandy,  well  charged  with 
organic  vegetable  matter  in  decomposition,  and  contain  oxides  of  iron 
and  aluminum,  and  also  lime,  although  this  is  not  an  indispensable 
requisite.  This  is  the  soil  Mexico  provides,  and  it  is  so  deep  that  it  is 
not  necessary  to  plant  a  crop  of  corn  after  the  tobacco  crop,  planters 
instead  raising  a  second  or  seedling  crop  of  tobacco,  which  furnishes 
the  small  and  mild  leaf  used  in  cigarette  making.  The  extent  of  the 
tobacco  region  is  immense,  probably  one  hundred  times  that  of  the 
same  region  in  Cuba. 

As  a  material  for  "  tillers"  Mexican  tobacco  is  unexcelled.  Practi- 
cally no  wrapper  tobacco  is  grown  in  Mexico.  The  finest  Mexican 
cigars  go  to  Habana,  where  they  sell  at  $l.(i~  per  pound.  All  of  the 
Central  American  and  some  of  the  South  American  countries  buy 
these  cigars,  paying  an  average  of  $1.05  a  pound. 

Statistics  for  the  tobacco  production  of  Mexico  during  the  fiscal 
year  L902-3,  published  in  the  "Economists  Mcxicano""  of  November 
28,  1903,  show  the  following  figures: 


Year. 

Cigarettes, 

Cigais, 

cut. 

Kilns. 

L74.627 
236,  559 
288, 47J 
896,610 

393,083 

Cigars, 
perilla. 

Rape. 

Fine  cut, 
sifted. 

Kim-  ont. 

iv  is  y.i  .                

Kilns. 

4,916,780 
5, 906, 619 

6,974,333 
6, 203, 966 
7,305,079 

Kilns. 

4:vj.  966 
417,981 
405  797 
426,165 
158,02] 

Kilns. 
Ill 

22 

16 
9 
14 

Kilns. 

si,  828 
23, 625 
17,656 
28,260 

23,051 

Kilns. 

Ill 

1K99-1900 .              

IDS 

1900  1901  . .           

4-'.9 

1901-2                    

1,196 

1902-3                      

3,585 

A  steady  increase  is  observable  in  all  the  various  forms  of  manufac- 
tured tobacco,  except  the  rape  or  snuff,  which  has  almost  ceased  to  be 
made,  the  demand  being  in  fact  almost  nominal.  The  increase  in  the 
cigarettes  is  very  considerable,  having  almost  doubled  in  the  live  years 
under  review;  the  homemade  cigarettes  have  gradually  driven  the 
Ilabana  article  from  the  Mexican  market.  Mexico  having  formerly 
been  one  of  the  greatest  consumers. 

The  total  production  of  tobacco  during  1901-2  is  officially  given  at 
3,907,311  kilos,  valued  at  1758,200,  the  Territory  of  Tepic  being  the 
largest  producer  with  1,188,700  kilos,  at  $169,872,  all  the  States  of  the 
Republic  having  contributed,  with  the  exception  of  Morelos,  Quere'taro, 
and  Tamaulipas.  The  total  production  of  the  country  from  1898  to  1902 
is  officially  quoted  at  79,718,221  kilos,  valued  at  $12,361,973. 

Exports  of  manufactured  tobacco  during  1902  amounted  to  23(5,448 
kilos,  with  a  valuation  of  $650,524,  England  being  the  largest  importer— 
157,679  kilos,  at  $468,968;  the  United  States  being  second  with  18,549 
kilos,  at  $50,601.  The  next  importing  countries  were  Colombia,  with 
1.8,500  kilos,  in  round  numbers,  at  $22,500;  Guatemala,  17,800  kilos, 


COTTON.  181 

$25,500,  and  Germany,  15,300  kilos,  at  $51,500.     For  the  first  half  of 
1902-3,  exports  were  123,911  kilos,  at  $353,780. 

Exports  of  leaf  tobacco  amounted  in  1902  to  1,111,326  kilos,  at 
$1,020,179 — Germany,  Belgium,  and  the  United  States  being  the 
largest  consumers  in  the  order  given,  as  follows: 


Country. 

Kilos.  • 

Value. 

495, 341 
432, 262 
130, 276 

8374, 337 
448, 326 
162, 771 

For  the  first  six  months  of  1902-3  these  exports  were  195,332, 
valued  at  $200,000. 

Mexican  leaf  tobacco  imports  for  1902  are  officially  given  at  1,260,186 
kilos,  valued  at  $226,190,  the  United  States  being  represented  by 
1,251,767  kilos,  at  $218,025. 

Cotton. — Cotton  has  been  cultivated  in  Mexico  from  time  immemo- 
rial. Prior  to  the  advent  of  the  Aztecs  in  the  valley  of  Mexico  their 
predecessors  knew  and  practiced  the  art  of  cotton  spinning. 

Although  Mexico  is  so  thorough^  adapted  b}?-  soil  and  climate  to 
the  production  of  this  fiber,  and  although  she  has  an  acreage  sufficient 
to  produce  it  in  quantities  greater  than  the  United  States,  she  is 
not  only  not  an  exporting  nation,  but  actually  imports  annually  about 
$2,000,000  worth  of  the  staple  to  supply  the  demand  of  her  factories. 
In  1897-98  she  imported  21,216,287  pounds  from  the  United  States; 
in  1898-99,  18,061,891  pounds,  and  in  1903,  33,253,500  pounds,  valued 
at  $3,183,130.  It  has  been  said  that  with  direct  railroad  communica- 
tion from  the  Pacific  coast  to  the  interior  the  Yaqui  River  region  in 
Sonora  alone  would  supply  that  demand,  and  more. 

Cotton  is  produced  on  the  seaward  slopes  of  both  Cordilleras,  and 
also  in  the  interior  of  the  country.  The  great  cotton  belt  is  the 
Laguna  district,  in  the  State  of  Coahuila,  which  has  a  length  of  about 
10  miles,  is  rather  narrow,  and  follows  the  Nazas  River,  being  almost 
entirely  under  cultivation.  It  is  distant  about  700  miles  from  the  City 
of  Mexico,  and  is  in  railroad  communication  therewith.  Under  fair 
conditions  the  annual  crop  will  yield  $10,000,000  in  value. 

The  principal  cotton-producing  districts,  other  than  that  named 
above,  are:  On  the  Gulf  side,  the  cantons  of  Cosamaloapam,  Tuxtla, 
Tuxpam,  Tantoyuca,  and  Veracruz,  in  the  State  of  Veracruz.  On  the 
Pacific  slope,  from  Sonora  to  Chiapas.  In  Sonora,  the  valleys  of  the 
Yaqui  and  the  Mayo;  in  Sinaloa,  the  valley  of  the  Fuerte;  in  Tepic, 
the  valleys  of  Tepic  and  Santiago,  the  fertility  of  which  is  astonishing, 
and  in  Jalisco,  Michoacan,  Guerrero,  Oaxaca,  and  Chiapas  the  pro- 
duction is  great,  and  could,  at  a  small  cost,  be  made  enormous.  In  the 
central  part,  Chihuahua,  Coahuila,  Durango,  and  Nuevo  Leon  are  the 
principal  producers. 


182  KEXIOO. 

On  t he  coast  of  the  State  of  Guerrero  the  fiber  measures  :;7  mi! I i 
meters  in  length;  in  San  Pedro  and  Lerdo,  35  millimeters;  in  \  era 
oruz,  34  millimeters;  in  Guaymas,  30  millimeters;  in  Tepic,  31  milli 
meter-;  in  Colima  and  Oaxaca,  32  millimeters. 

The  methods  of  cultivation  employed  arc  still  rather  primitive,  the 
plow  until  very  recently  being  Little  used,  and  nature  being  left  t<> 
exercise  her  agencies  unaided.  With  the  intelligent  use  of  improved 
machinery  and  a  knowledge  of  advanced  methods  of  cultivation  Mexico 
need  never  import  an  ounce  of  cotton.  Then'  are  great  advantages 
in  .the  cultivation  of  Mexican  cotton,  as  the  plants  continue  to  bear 
profitable  crops  without  the  use  of  fertilizers  on  the  soil  or  the  renewal 
of  seed,  which  is  necessary  each  year  in  the  United  States. 

""The  consumption  of  raw  cotton  in  Mexico"  says  the  "  Mexican 
Economist"— "is  estimated  to  be  L00,000  bales  annually,  50,000  bales  of 
which  are  produced  in  the  country,  principally  in  the  States  of  Durango 
andCoahuila.  Active  efforts  are  being  made  throughout  the  Republic 
to  increase  the  acreage  of  cotton  under  cultivation,  inasmuch  as  there 
are  other  places  in  the  Republic  exceedingly  well  suited  to  its  cultiva- 
tion, such,  for  instance,  as  the  coast  lands  of  the  States  of  ( )axaea  and 
Guerrero,  and  the  States  of  Chiapas,  Veracruz,  Puebla,  and  Morelos. 
The  price  of  raw  cotton  was  £31  silver  per  quintal  in  1903.  The  fiber 
of  the  Mexican  cotton  is  longer  and  stronger  than  that  of  the  cotton 
of  the  United  States,  but  is  thinner,  less  silky,  and  not  as  clean  as  tin- 
latter,  which  fact  has  given  rise  to  the  custom  of  mixing  the  American 
cotton  with  the  Mexican,  especially  in  the  manufacture  of  articles  of 
fine  texture." 

The  production  of  cotton  in  Mexico  for  1901-2  is  given  a>  follows 
by  the  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  that  period:  22,529,407  kilos,  valued 
at  $8,629,109;  Coahuila  being  credited  with  the  largest  amount,  viz, 
L4,073,750  kilos,  at  $6,6(56,277;  then  conies  Durango  with  4,880,500 
kilos,  at  $1,530,600,  and  the  territory  of  Tepic  with  1,485,800  kilos, 
valued  at  $144,080.  The  total  production  for  the  last  live  calendar 
years  is  given  as  follows  by  the  same  authority: 


Year. 

Kili». 

Values. 

1898 

|.\  625,  767 
22,  is?.. '.17 
21,79 
22,864,092 

22,;VJ'.i.  MW 

572,770 

1899 

4,679,628 

1900 

6,  1  18,  773 

1901                               

6,  147,880 

1902                  r--- 

8,629,109 

Total 

134,702,078 

82, 77S,  160 

Cotton  weaving  and  spinning  is  one  of  the  most  promising  growing 
industries  of  Mexico.  During  the  fiscal  year  1901-2  there  were  in  the 
country  93  working  factories  using  595,728  spindles,  18,222  looms,  and 
33  printing  machines,  consuming  27,628,366  kilos  of  cotton  for  the  pro- 


CACAO.  188 

duction  of  10,428,532  pieces  of  woven  or  printed  goods,  and  1,879,329 
kilos  of  yarn,  the  sales-declared  being  $28,780,000. 

Imports  of  raw  cotton  into  Mexico  in  1901-2  amounted  to  6,175,931 
kilos,  valued  at  $1,271,958,  as  per  invoice,  and  during  the  first  half  of 
1903  were  9,475,968  kilos,  invoiced  at  $1,816,418.  The  share  of  the 
United  States  in  the  raw  cotton  imports  for  the  calendar  year  1902  is 
represented  by  11,879,356  kilos,  valued  at  $2,920,789,  according  to 
official  Mexican  figures. 

The  '"Mexican  Investor,''  December  8, 1902,  is  authority  for  the  state- 
ment that  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  utilize  in  Yucatan  two  native 
delicate  fibers  to  substitute  cotton  in  many  of  its  uses.  The  plants 
produce  cotton  of  two  classes;  the  smaller  one  gives  a  coffee-colored 
seed  and  grows  and  multiplies  without  special  care  all  the  year  round; 
its  fiber  is  thicker  than  that  of  the  common  cotton.  The  seed  of  the 
other  plant  is  of  a  light-blue  color.  This  plant  requires  special  culti- 
vation and  irrigation;  the  fiber  is  liner  than  the  other,  and  as  fine  as 
the  finest  cotton.  An  agriculturist  of  San  Luis  Soyatlan,  in  the  State 
of  Jalisco,  who  first  experimented  with  these  two  plants,  the  same 
authorit}7  states,  has  distributed  seeds  all  over  the  hot  lands,  for  which 
it  is  most  suited. 

C<ica<>  {Thedbroma,  in  Greek — the  food  of  the  gods)  is  another  plant 
indigenous  to  Mexico.  It  has  been  cultivated  by  the  aborigines  from 
remote  times,  and  from  its  bean  they  made  their  drink  chocolatl 
(chocolate),  which  wras  considered  to  have  great  sustaining  virtues, 
and  Cortes,  speaking  of  the  general  adoption  of  the  beverage  by  his 
soldiers,  in  his  first  letter  to  Charles  V  says:  "  He  wdio  has  drunk  his 
cup  of  chocolate  travels  a  whole  day  without  taking  other  food.'1 

Ever  since  chocolate  came  into  general  use  in  Europe,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  the  high-grade  cacao  has  been  furnished 
by  the  States  of  Tabasco  and  Chiapas.  The  Mexican  home  consump- 
tion is  very  large,  yet  the  production  does  not  meet  the  demand,  which 
is  ever  increasing. 

The  cacao  requires  a  warm  and  moist  atmosphere,  the  best  lands 
lying  between  sea  level  and  1,600  feet  above,  in  localities  protected 
from  strong  air  currents.  Although  there  are  many  districts  in 
Mexico  affording  the  necessary  conditions  of  climate  and  soil,  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  cacao  is  almost  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians, 
who  raise  it  on  a  small  scale  and  carry  their  crops  to  market,  where 
they  are  bought  by  merchants,  who  store  them  away  until  a  sufficient 
quantity  is  collected  to  ship  to  the  large  consuming  centers.  The 
plant  begins  bearing  three  or  four  years  after  planting,  and  usually 
gives  three  crops  a  year,  although  in  some  parts  of  Chiapas  four  crops 
have  been  garnered  in  a  twelvemonth. 


184  Mexico. 

A  Mexican  authority  thus  estimates  the  cost  of  establishing  and 
maintaining  a  cacao  plantation  for  a  period  of -eight  years: 

Cosl  of  LOO  acres  of  land .^ 

( Hearing  same  for  cacao,  staking,  planting  shade  trees,  cacao,  and  corn  between 

the  rows  of  the  cacao  plants,  ran'  of  corn,  and  expense  of  harvesting l.  340 

Value  of  corn  crop 1,200 

lid  year: 

Cosl  "i'  maintaining  plantation  and  of  planting,  cultivating,  and  harvest- 
ing coin  crop 1,130 

Value  of  corn  crop 1,000 

Third  year: 

Cosl  of  maintaining  plantation,  raising  Last  Crop  of  corn,  and  gathering 

first  crop  of  cacao 1,  tJOO 

Value  of  corn  and  cacao 1,  000 

Fourth  year: 

Cosl  of  maintaining  plantation 1,  444 

:;oo  cargas "  of  cacao 7,  r>oo 

Fifth  year,  profits 6,000 

Sixth  year,  profits 8,300 

Seventh  year,  profits 10,  490 

Eighth  year,  profits 21, 000 

The  plants  roach  their  maximum  production  the  ninth  or  tenth  year, 
and  after  the  twenty -third  year  their  yield  diminishes.  The  trees  are 
planted  about  400  to  the  acre,  and  an  authority  places  the  average 
yield  of  1,000  trees  at  6<>0  pounds.  The  cacao  industry  has  proven  a 
considerable  source  of  wealth  to  the  State  of  Tabasco,  and  it  is  strange 
thai  investors  have  not  recognized  its  profitableness. 

It  is  asserted  by  good  authority  that  land  well  adapted  to  the  raising 
of  cacao  plants  can  he  purchased  for  about $8 an  acre,  Mexican  money, 
in  sections  of  from  100  to  500  acres. 

As  the  bean  of  the  plant  is  extensively  used  in  the  manufacture  of 
chocolate,  and  it  is  utilized  in  the  making  of  salves  for  medical  use, 
such  as  cacao  butter,  its  cultivation  offers  an  inviting  field  for  profitable 
speculation. 

Consul-General  Barlow,  in  his  report  before  quoted,  gives  a  list  of 
American  investors  in  Mexico,  wherein  it  appears  that  there  are  4 
firms  growing  cacao  in  Tabasco,  1  in  Veracruz,  1  in  Oaxaca,  and  2  in 
Chiapas.  Mexican  official  figures  relative  to  the  production  of  cacao 
during  L901-2  give  the  total  production  at  3, 428, .".25  kilos,  valued  at 
$2,703,628.  The  principal  States  producing  this  bean  were  Tabasco, 
L,869,435  kilo^.  at  $1,551,391,  and  Chiapas,  1,551,705  kilos,  at 
$1,  143,182.  The  other  States  given  are  Colima,  Michoacan,  Guerrero, 
and  Oaxaca.  For  the  last  five  years  the  total  production  of  the  coun- 
try was  a^  follows: 

«The  carga  here  mentioned  is  equivalent  to  about  60  pounds. 


RUBBER. 


185 


Year. 

Kilos. 

Value. 

1898                       

1,362,543 
1,032,437 
1,973,352 

1, 792, 988 
3,428,525 

81,385,267 

1899                           

689, 907 

1900                       

1,709,857 

1901  .                   

1,622,844 

1902  ...           - 

2, 703, 628 

Total 

9, 589, 845 

8,111,503 

Rubber. — The  rubber  tree  grows  wild  in  many  parts  of  Mexico;  it 
abounds  in  the  warm  latitudes  of  the  States  of  Veracruz,  Tamaulipas, 
Tabasco,  Guerrero,  Oaxaca,  Chiapas,  Colima,  Michoacan,  and  the 
Territory  of  Tepic.  Except  in  isolated  cases,  the  cultivation  of  the 
tree  has  not  been  seriously  undertaken.  The  natives,  not  appreciat- 
ing- the  value  of  so  important  an  element  in  the  arboreal  vegetation  of 
the  country,  have  been  accustomed  for  many  }^ears  to  extract  the 
milk  from  the  tree,  boil  it,  and  take  the  rubber  made  into  balls  to  the 
market  without  an}r  further  preparation  or  treatment.  The  natives 
also  chopped  down  and  destroyed  great  numbers  of  these  trees. 

In  the  Tehuantepec  region  there  are  said  to  be  1,200  square  miles 
of  territory  susceptible  of  growing  the  rubber  tree.  There  it  is  valu- 
able not  only  because  of  its  product  but- also  for  the  good  results  it 
gives  in  furnishing  shade  to  coffee  and  cacao  trees.  The  tree  begins 
to  yield  when  6  or  7  years  old,  but  it  is  not  considered  advisable  to 
tap  until  it  is  9  or  10  years  of  age.  If  the  tapping  is  properly  done 
(once  a  year,  in  October  and  November,  for  instance)  it  will  produce 
for  twenty-five  years.  It  produces  1  pound  of  gum  when  10  years 
old  and  2£  to  3  pounds  when  15  years  of  age. 

The  cost  of  planting  and  care  for  the  first  year  is  from  1£  to  5 
cents,  and  li  to  1£  cents  for  cultivation  in  the  subsequent  37ears.  On 
the  Isthmus  the  gum  sells  for  10  to  60  cents  gold  per  pound,  on  the 
plantations. 

Romero  states"  that  the  milk  yield  of  each  tree  six  years  after 
planting  is  estimated  at  6  pounds,  which,  reduced  to  rubber,  loses 
about  55  per  cent,  and  he  calculates  that  a  plantation  of  100,000  trees 
would  produce  a  net  profit  at  the  end  of  six  years,  at  the  prices  then 
prevailing  (1871),  of  $110,880. 

The  best  climate  for  the  culture  of  the  rubber  tree  is  the  hottest, 
and  the  best  land  the  dampest  and  the  nearest  to  the  seashore  or  on 
the  low-lying  banks  of  rivers.  The  tree  requires  but  little  labor  for 
its  cultivation.  An  economical  method  of  growing  it  is  to  plant  the 
trees  as  shade  for  coffee  and  cacao  plantations,  rubber  itself  not 
requiring  the  shade,  but,  on  the  contrary,  experience  in  Mexico  has 
demonstrated  that  trees  growing  in  the  sun  are  healthier  and  better 
than   when  protected   from   its   influence.     The    prevailing  opinion 

"Coffee  and  India  Rubber  Culture  in  Mexico,  p.  382.     New  York,  1898. 


186  MEXICO. 

among  the  agriculturists  of  Mexico  seems  to  be  that  -  to  2\  meters 
from  tree  to  tree  on  every  side  is  the  proper  spacing  in  planting  rub- 
ber  trees.  The  hardiness  of  the  plant  greatl}  simplifies  its  culture, 
thus  rendering  it  proportionately  cheap.  In  the  low,  hot,  damp  lands 
most  favorable  to  its  growth  the  fertility  of  the  —  < * 1 1  is  so  great  that 
the  necessary  labor  may  be  said  to  consist  solely  in  weeding  the  plan- 
tations, and  as  the  rubber  plant  possesses  a  vitality  superior  to  that  of 

weeds  or  of    any  other  kind    of  vegetation,  in    proportion   as  the  trees 

grow  Larger  the  necessity  for  weeding  becomes  less  imperative. 
Another  point  in  determining  the  success  of  a  plantation  i^  the  method 
employed  in  tapping  the  trees.  This  operation  must  be  performed 
very  carefully,  so  as  not  to  injure  the  woody  structure  beyond  the 
bark,  nor  must  the  hark  he  separated  in  two  portions,  thus  isolating 
the  upper  and  lower  sections  of  the  tree  and  preventing  the  ascent  of 
the  sap. 

United  States  Consul  W.  W.  Canada,  at  Veracruz,  under  date  of 
January  11.  L904,  forwarded  the  following  important  information, 
taken  from  Mexican  sources,  to  the  Department  of  Commerce  and 
Labor  of  the  United  State-,  which  is  published  in  Consular  Report 
No.  18T5,  of  February  12.  1.1HM: 

"There  are  more  than  L,500  species  of  rubber  plants  or  trees,  and 
all  of  them  are  intertropical  plants.  The  Mexican  rubber  tree  is  of 
the  family  of  CastUloa  elastica  and  is  indigenous  to  the  soil.  Those 
desiring  to  engage  in  the  cultivation  of  rubber  should  carefully  look 
into  the  following  points  and  satisfactorily  settle  them  before  investing. 

"What  is  the  most  favorable  climate  and  what  qualities  should  the 
soil  possess  to  insure  the  profitable  development  of  the  tree) 

"Unfortunately  it  is  impossible  to  answer  definitely  and  conclu- 
sively the  greater  number  of  the  questions  which  follow;  we  can  give 
only  the  results  of  our  personal  experience  on  a  small  plantation  and 
such  other  information  as  we  have  collected  from  various  sources. 
We  could  answer  the  preceding  question  perhaps  in  this  manner: 

"What  is  the  best  method  to  pursue  when  commencing  a  planta- 
tion— plant  direct  from  the  seed,  transplant  the  young  trees,  or  plant 
slips  or  cuttings? 

"The  cheapest  and  most  convenient  method  is  to  transplant  the 
young  trees  from  a  nursery,  an  indespensable  adjunct  that  should 
always  be  proportionate  in  size  to  that  of  a  plantation  about  to  be 
cleared  for  planting.  The  young-  trees  should  have  a  height  of  at 
least  31.5  inches  before  this  can  be  done  successfully.  Planting  the 
seed  where  the  tree  is  expected  to  grow  is  not  advisable  on  account  of 
the  greater  labor  in  keeping  the  soil  clear  of  other  growths  and  conse- 
quent expenses  incurred.  Planting  slips  or  cuttings  from  trees  should 
never  be  attempted,  as  Ho  per  cent  of  them  will  be  lost. 


RUBBER.  187 

"Should  the  plants  have  sun  or  shade  \  At  what  distance  from  each 
other  should  trees  be  set  out  \ 

"'These  points  have  been  in  controversy  by  all  authorities  on  the 
subject.  Some  believe  that  the  rays  of  the  sun  are  beneficial,  others 
that  they  are  injurious,  to  the  plant.  However,  the  opinion  of  com- 
petent persons  is  that  a  tree  exposed  to  the  rays  of  the  sun  develops 
quickly  and  produces  a  larger  quantity  of  rubber,  but  will  also  rapidly 
deteriorate,  and  it  is  believed  that  within  three  or  four  years  after  the 
tree  commences  to  produce  the  plantation  will  be  exhausted.  Those 
who  maintain  that  shade  is  necessary  to  insure  best  results  claim  that 
the  plant  will  not  cease  to  produce  or  exhaust  itself  in  less  time  than 
from  twenty  to  thirty  }Tears.  Only  practical  experience  will  solve  this 
question,  and  this  has  demonstrated  the  fact  that  the  rays  of  the  sun 
are  necessary  for  the  natural  development  of  the  tree,  but  trees  that 
have  already  attained  a  good  height  give  very  little  product  when  so 
exposed.  They  must  have  shade,  and  such  as  is  given  by  large  forest 
trees  left  at  convenient  distances  from  the  rubber  trees.  Therefore, 
when  clearing  the  land  for  a  rubber  plantation  a  sufficient  number  of 
trees  of  large  growth  should  not  be  cut  down,  but  should  be  left  stand- 
ing at  regular  distances  to  secure  the  necessary  shade  for  the  rubber 
trees. 

"The  proper  distance  at  which  trees  ought  to  be  set  out  from  each 
other  is  another  much-disputed  point,  and  there  is  no  general  rule  for 
the  guidance  of  the  planter.  Trees  planted  at  a  distance  of  10  feet 
apart  become  dwarfed;  the  trunk  thickens  and  some  of  them  are  very 
slow  in  attaining  to  the  perfection  of  others  that  receive  air  and  nour- 
ishment from  the  soil  in  abundance.  When  trees  are  planted  closer 
than  25  feet  apart  the  loss  to  the  plantation  is  equivalent  to  50  per 
cent.  Some  of  the  trees  develop  vigorously,  while  others  remain  weak 
and  dwarfed  and  the  foliage  turns  yellow,  influenced,  as  it  were,  by 
the  larger  plants  near  them. 

"  What  is  the  nature  of  the  labor  to  be  performed  while  the  trees 
are  growing '. 

"After  the  preliminary  clearing  of  the  land  and  also  after  the  young 
trees-  have  been  set  out,  great  care  must  be  exercised  to  keep  the  soil 
free  from  weeds  and  other  plants.  All  these  should  be  carefully 
removed  and  the  ground  raked  over  several  times  during  the  first 
year  and  at  least  once  a  year  afterwards.  Some  authorities  advise 
cutting  off  the  top  of  the  tree  when  a  height  of  32  feet  8  inches  has 
been  reached.  This  is  believed  to  cause  the  trunk  of  the  tree  to 
thicken,  as  well  as  the  bark.  Nature  produces  the  milk  in  the  bark, 
and  in  this  the  sought-for  source  of  profit  is  found.  The  planter  must 
appl}7  all  his  intelligence  and  give  all  his  attention  to  the  plants  until 
they  are  fully  developed,  and  it  should  not  be  lost  sight  of  that  the 
cultivation  of  the  rubber  tree  is  something  entirely  new  to  the  agricul- 


L88  mix  [(•(». 

turist.  No  one  1 1 : » —  as  vet  said  the  last  word  on  the  subject  We  are 
yet  in  l he  dark,  or  in  the  epoch  of  studj  ami  observation,  and  only 
i he  intelligent  planter  can  possibly  discover  the  secrets  <>t"  nature. 

••After  planting,  how  much  time  will  elapse  before  a  rubber  tree 
will  commence  to  produce  1 

""  Here  we  ha\e  another  disputed  question.  Some  say  twenty  years, 
others  fifteen  year-,  and  »till  other-  ten  years,  but  the  majority  seem 
to  agree  that  at  the  age  of  eight  years  the  tree  will  he  in  a  condition 
of  development  to  permit  of  its  being  tapped  for  the  first  time,  if  the 
soil,  the  climate,  and  the  growth  of  the  tree  have  been  good;  hut  if 

either  of  these  (dements  has  been  unfavorable  the  probability  will  be 
that  a  longer  time  must  elapse  before  tapping  can  take  place.  And, 
again,  practical  persons  have  assured  us  that  under  favorable  condi- 
tions a  tree  may  be  fully  developed  at  the  age  of  six  years. 

'"What  is  the  annual  production  of  a  tree  and  what  is  the  best 
method  for  extracting  the  rubber  without   impoverishing  the  plant? 

"This  question,  no  less  important  than  tin'  others,  is  also  the  cause  of 
much  controversy  and  contradictory  opinions.  Some  agriculturists' 
believe  that  a  tree  may  be  tapped  without  injury  once  every  two 
months,  and  made  to  yield  at  each  operation  <>  pounds  of  rubber,  mak- 
ing 36  pounds  per  year  for  each  tree.  Meanwhile,  others  believe  that 
the  tree  should  be  tapped  only  once  a  year  to  produce  (*>  pounds.  Still 
others  think  it  more  advantageous  to  the  planter  to  extract  the  juice 
once  every  two  years,  believing  that  the  production  will  be  greater 
than  by  tapping  every  two  months.  Among  those  who  are  posted  it 
is  agreed  that  a  tree  with  a  trunk  of  from  15  to  18  inches  in  diameter 
will  produce  at  each  tapping  6  pounds  of  rubber. 

"The  milk  of  the  rubber  tree  contains  56  per  cent  of  water  and  44 
per  cent  of  rubber.  The  method  of  tapping  the  tree  is  an  important 
matter,  for  upon  this  depends  the  success  of  the  plantation.  We  will 
say  nothing  about  the  barbarous  practice  of  cutting  down  the  trees. 
Generally  speaking,  there  are  two  ways  of  extracting  the  juice.  It 
may  be  done  by  making  a  spiral  cut  in  the  bark  of  the  tree  to  a  height 
of  about  30  feet,  being  very  careful  not  to  cut  the  tree  itself,  for  in 
that  case  it  will  be  likely  to  die.  Another  method — and  it  seems  to  us 
the  most  rational  one — is  to  make  an  incision  nearly  around  and  at  the 
foot  of  the  tree;  the  milk  will  descend  by  its  own  gravity  without  the 
bark  being  injured  by  much  cutting.  When  the  juice  has  ceased  to 
run.  cover  the  cut  very  carefully  with  (day. 

"The  cost  of  planting  rubber  varies  materially  with  the  methods 
pursued  in  setting  out  the  trees.  If  we  accept  as  correct  25  feet  as  the 
distance  at  which  trees  should  be  planted  from  each  other,  and  this 
method  is  to  be  preferred,  144  trees  may  be  set  out  to  each  2£  acres, 
approximately.      For  planting  10,000  trees  about  200  acres  will   be 


RUBBER.  189 

required.  One  man  is  said  to  be  able  to  extract  the  milk  from  20  to  25 
trees  daily.     The  month  of  May  is  preferred  for  this  operation." 

Dr.  W.  S.  Cockrell,  who  for  twelve  years  has  been  interested  in 
agriculture  in  tropical  Mexico,  is  authority  for  the  following'  informa- 
tion on  matters  not  fully  covered  by  the  preceding  abstract: 

"The  conditions  pertaining  to  and  methods  of  planting  india  rubber — 
CastUha  elastt'ca,  the  commercial  rubber  plant  of  Mexico — are  very 
important  features  which  have  received  hitherto  inadequate  attention. 
It  is  by  no  means  a  complex  subject;  on  the  contrary,  by  observing  a 
few  primitive  and  essential  features,  this  most  important  industry  may 
be  conducted  to  a  most  successful  and  profitable  result. 

"Locality. — As  a  general  rule,  with  a  very  few  notable  exceptions, 
rubber  should  be  planted  south  of  latitude  20°  N.  and  below  an  alti- 
tude of  1,000  feet  above  sea  level,  where  the  annual  rainfall  exceeds 
100  inches  and  where  a  large  amount  of  humidity  is  precipitated  as 
dew  during  the  dry  season. 

"The  exceptions  are  in  protected  valleys  or  locations  within  above- 
mentioned  latitude  at  elevations  of  several  thousand  feet  where  the 
surrounding  mountains  ward  off  the  cold  winds  and  preserve  equable 
climate.     Such  locations  do  exist,  but  are  rare  and  limited  in  area. 

"  Soil. — This  is  an  all-important  factor,  and  in  a  great  measure  con- 
trols results  in  direct  ratio  to  its  adaptability,  fertility,  and  depth. 
Rubber  will  produce  a  luxuriant  tree  in  almost  any  soil  where  the 
conditions  of  locality  are  favorable,  but  such  a  tree  does  not  neces- 
sarily imply  a  profitable  producer. 

"  By  adaptability  is  meant  a  rich,  alluvial,  virgin  soil,  which  is 
always  of  the  requisite  fertility.  Its  value  as  a  rubber  soil  depends 
largely  upon  its  depth  or  the  subsoil,  which  factor  gains  its  essentiality 
from  the  fact  that  the  rubber  tree  is  primarily  a  taproot  feeder.  The 
taproot  is  the  perpendicular  and  principal  root  which  penetrates  the 
ground  in  relative  proportion  to  the  height  of  the  tree.  From  the 
collateral  or  superficial  roots  sufficient  strength  may  be  drawn  to 
maintain  a  luxuriant  tree,  but  a  well-nourished  taproot  is  necessary 
to  yield  a  bountiful  supply  of  rubber  milk,  from  which  commercial 
rubber  is  extracted. 

"Recently,  by  good  fortune,  a  landslide  was  observed  which  dem- 
onstrated a  rubber  tree  about  7  inches  in  diameter  3  feet  from  the 
surface  of  the  ground  with  a  taproot  slightly  more  than  1£  inches  in 
diameter  18  feet  below  the  surface.  It  would  have  been  interesting 
to  know  how  much  deeper  this  root  extended,  but  circumstances  were 
such  that  it  was  not  feasible  to  ascertain.  This  demonstration  was 
only  confirmatory  of  much  previous  investigation  extending  over  a 
number  of  years,  all  proving  beyond  a  doubt  that  it  is  the  taproot 
that  furnished  the  excess  supply  of  rubber  which  may  be  annually 


I'M)  MEXICO. 

extracted  without  detriment  to  the  tree.  Many  trees  not  producing  a 
remunerative  quantity  have  been  found  invariably  to  be  without  a  tap- 
root, and  no  tree  with  a  normal  taproot  has  been  found  that  did  not 
produce  an  abundant  and  profitable  supply.  To  enumerate  a  great 
number  of  instances,  amply  conclusive,  would  occupy  more  apace  than 
allowable  and  only  confirm  above  deductions. 

••  Method  of  planting.  No  less  important  than  cither  of  the  forego- 
ing factors  is  the  method  of  planting.  In  order  to  secure  a  full  com- 
plement of  root  supply,  rubber  seeds  should  be  planted,  at  proper 
distance,  in  ground  previously  staked  to  indicate  where  the  trees  are 
to  grow.  From  three  to  five  seeds  should  tie  planted  at  each  stake,  >«> 
that  if  the  rains  wash  any  of  the  seeds  out,  or  if  at  some  stake-  all  fail  to 
sprout,  they  may  be  easily  and  safely  supplied  from  those  where  all,  or 
the  majority,  have  sprouted  by  removing  the  small  plants  2  or  3  inches 
high,  with  proper  implements,  to  supply  the  deficiencies.  This  may 
be  done  without  jeopardy  to  the  plants,  and  after  all  deficiencies  have 
been  supplied  all  hut  one  plant  should  he  removed  from  each  place. 
In  this  way  a  very  complete  stand  can  nearly  always  be  gotten  the  first 
year,  and  the  deficiencies  that  may  occur  can  be  supplied  by  a  repeti- 
tion of  seed  planting  the  second  year  or  by  transplanting  very  -mall 
plants  with  roots  intact.  Transplanting  from  nursery  plants  of  such 
a  size  as  would  necessitate  injury  to  the  taproot  is  to  be  carefully 
avoided,  likewise  planting  from  slips  or  cuttings,  either  of  which  may 
produce  a  thrifty  looking  tree  of  small  productive  capacity. 

"There  is  ample  reason  for  limiting  the  distance  of  planting  to  a 
maximum  of  8  feet  from  tree  to  tree,  and  closer  planting  has  been 
demonstrated  to  be  successful.  The  object  of  close  planting  is  to 
maintain  continuous  shade  on  the  trunks  of  the  trees,  which  is  neces- 
sary to  grow  a  soft  bark,  through  which  the  milk  will  easily  percolate. 
and  this  area  will  yield  ample  support  to  the  tree  in  that  the  depth  of 
the  taproot  i-  the  real  source  of  supply. 

••A  high  state  of  cultivation,  which  in  tropical  countries  implies 
keeping  the  ground  absolutely  clean  and  free  from  weeds  and  grass,  is 
necessary,  as  there  is  no  plant  more  sensitive  or  that  more  manifestly 
resents  an  intrusion  than  rubber." 

The  "India  Rubber  World*'.  February  1.  L903,  is  authority  for  the 
following  information  in  regard  to  the  progress  made  in  rubber  plant- 
ing in  Mexico  by  26  companies: 

The  total  number  of  trees  planted  by  the  26  companies,  by  years,  is 
as  follows: 

1897  •">.-'"<»     1901. - 1,101,678 

1898 21,700      1902 2,991,000 

1899 371  • 


1900 952,  742  T<  -nil 5,  443, 105 

Total  acreage,  11,117. 


RUBBER.  191 

The  average  number  of  trees  planted  per  acre  in  1902  by  13  com- 
panies was  400,  500.  190.  1,000,  200,  820,  800,  250,  800,  587,  2,000,  600, 
611,  respectively. 

These  13  companies  report  a  total  planting-  of  2,671,000  trees  in 
L902  on  1,113  acres,  or  an  average  of  650  trees  per  acre.  The  prac- 
tice is  general  of  close  planting,  both  to  allow  for  failures  and  with 
the  idea  of  extracting  some  rubber  from  the  surplus  trees  when  they 
have  grown  so  as  to  make  their  removal  necessary.  While  some  of 
the  companies  have  tried  various  methods  of  planting  as  regards 
shade,  generally  one  plan  has  been  adhered  to  in  each  case,  and  further 
planting,  as  a  rule,  will  be  done  under  the  same  method  as  in  the  past. 
The  distribution  of  the  total  planting  to  January,  1903,  was  as  follows: 


How  planted. 


Number  of 
trees. 


In  the  open  

In  tlic  open  and  sernishade 

In  sernishade 

In  the  shade  

Not  stated 

Total 


3, 202, 920 

1,117,000 

1,019,185 

4,000 

100,000 


5, 443, 105 


Ten  companies  planted  in  the  open,  2  in  the  open  and  sernishade,  11 
in  sernishade,  1  in  shade  altogether,  and  2  did  not  report. 

Nine  companies  planted  from  nurseries  and  at  stake,  12  from  nurs- 
eries principally,  and  3  at  stake  alone. 

In  regard  to  transplanting  from  nurseries  and  planting  seeds  at 
stake,  while  the  practice  of  the  different  companies  varies,  in  most 
cases  the  plan  adopted  in  the  past  will  be  continued.  The  total  plant- 
ing has  been  distributed  as  follows: 


How  distributed. 

Number  of 
trees. 

2,  (T75, 400 

1,895,705 

372, 000 

100,000 

Total 

4,443,105 

To  give  an  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  preparation  made  for  future 
planting,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  19  of  the  26  companies  reported 
having  in  nurseries  at  the  end  of  the  season  a  total  of  ll.lti2.000  young 
plants,  in  numbers  ranging  from  7.000  to  2,000,000  each.  Two  com- 
panies reported  no  nurseries,  having  completed  planting,  and  5  made 
no  report. 

The  report  of  Consul-General  Barlow,  bofore  mentioned,  gives  at  45 
the  number  of  American  firms  engaged  in  rubber  planting  in  Mexico 
as  follows:  Chiapas.  12:  Oaxaca,  l»>:  Puebla,  1:  Tabasco;  2;  Vera- 
cruz, 19,  and  Tepic.  1. 


192  MEXICO. 

Mexican  official  figures  give  the  following  total  production  of  rub- 
ber for  the  last  five  years: 


Year.  Kilos. 


Value. 


120. 916 

i  B99 606, 1 29 

1900 197,660 

1901 : 187, 062 

1902 118,  298 


J227.871 
272,821 
245,316 
344,  1 18 
279,675 


Total 1 ,  229. 950         1 . 

For  1901-2,  Chiapas  is  credited  with  the  largest  production,  viz. 
94,643  kilos,  at  $257,160,  and  Tabasco  with  17,050  kilos,  at  115,451. 
The  other  States  mentioned  are  Oaxaca,  Puebla,  San  Luis  Potosi,  and 
the  Territory  of  Tepic.  Exports  of  rubber  for  the  year  ID02  are 
officially  given  by  a  Mexican  authority"  at  178,668  kilos,  valued  at 
$331,096,  the  United  States  being  credited  with  L36,923  kilos,  at 
$254,565;  France  with  23,764  kilos,  at  $41,715;  Germany,  17.474,  at 
$34,296;  and  Colombia  and  Holland  with  400  and  107  kilos,  respec- 
tively. 

Chicle. — One  of  the  principal  productions  of  Mexico  is  the  gum 
known  as  chicle,  which  exudes  from  the  chico-zapote  tree,  found  grow- 
ing wild  along  the  Coatzacoalcos,  Corte,  Coachapa,  and  Uspanapa 
rivers.  The  product  of  this  tree  is  usually  gathered  l>y  the  Indians  in 
the  forests  along  these  rivers,  and  no  important  attempt  has  been  made 
toward  growing  the  tree  as  an  industry,  although  the  gum  forms  a 
very  large  proportion  of  the  exports  of  the  country.  The  cultivation 
is  inexpensive,  being  not  greater  than  l£  cents  per  tree  annually,  and 
it  would  seem  that  where  one  chewing-gum  factory  in  the  United 
States  had  an  output  in  the  year  1896  of  1,000,000,000  pieces  of  chew- 
ing gum.  all  made  from  the  Mexican  chicle,  the  industry  would  be  a 
remunerative  one.  The  trees  should  be  planted  not  more  than  4oo  to 
the  acre,  at  a  cost  of  5i  cents  each.  They  mature  after  reaching  the 
age  of  8  or  10  years,  when  they  are  from  12  to  15  inches  in  diameter 
and  in  a  condition  to  tap.  Each  tree  yields  from  5  to  6  pounds  of  the 
merchantable  gum,  at  a  cost  of  8  to  10  cents  per  pound  to  extract  it, 
and  sells  for  an  average  of  50  cents  per  pound  at  Minatithin  and  Coat- 
zacoalcos, on  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec. 

In  1898-99  the  United  States  imported  from  Mexico  chicle  gum  to 
the  amount  of  2,445,001  pounds,  valued  at  $303,051  gold,  and  in  1903 
the  importation  of  this  gum  amounted  to  $1)54,389  gold,  chiefly  from 
Mexico. 

The  total  production  of  the  various  gums  and  resins,  except  rubber, 
for  the  year  1901-2  was  as  follows,  according  to  the  "Anuario  Esta- 

o  Importation  y  Exportation  de  la  Republics  Mexieana  en  1902.  Secretarfa  de 
Fomento,  Colonization  £  Industria.    Mexico,  1903. 


VANILLA. 


193 


distico:"  Chicle  gum,  439,753  kilos,  valued  at  $429,570;  "mesquite" 
gum,  29,687  kilos,  at  $4,458,  and  "copal"  resin,  54,912  kilos,  at 
$30,752.  The  production  of  these  gums  for  the  last  five  years  is  given 
by  the  same  authority,  as  follows: 


Year. 


1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

Total 


Chicle. 


Kilos. 
1,005,648 

600, 675 
2, 132, 247 
1,897,076 

439, 753 


6, 075, 399 


Value. 

8685, 397 

502, 471 

1,432.659 

1,106,554 

429, 570 


4,156,651 


Mesquite. 


Kilos. 
15,765 

250, 752 
25, 316 
37,236 
29, 687 


Value. 

86, 014 
9,523 
9,443 
6,355 
4,458 


358, 756         35, 793 


Copal. 


Kilos. 

9,079 

247, 868 

125, 167 

15, 172 

54,912 


452, 198 


Value. 
82,185 

9,062 
27, 196 

4,429 
30, 752 


73,624 


Exports  of  chicle  during  1902  are  officially  quoted  at  1,759,578  kilos, 
valued  at  $1,270,466,  the  United  States  being  the  only  buyer,  while 
"other  gums  and  resins"  are  given  at  29,208  kilos,  valued  at  $9,519, 
exported  to  the  United  States  and  Germany,  the  former  being  credited 
with  27,073  kilos,  worth  $9,219. 

Vanilla. — As  far  back  as  the  time  of  the  Aztecs  the  vanilla  bean  was 
used  to  spice  the  chocolate.  The  Spaniards,  quick  to  see  the  value  of 
vanilla  as  an  article  of  export,  began  the  cultivation  of  the  aromatic 
pod.  For  a  long  time  the  former  province  of  Veracruz  supplied  the 
whole  world  with  vanilla  until  the  Bourbon  Islands  and  Java  waged 
competition  against  it. 

France  is  the  leading  market  for  this  product;  Germany,  England, 
and  the  United  States  follow  in  the  order  named.  Mexico  furnishes 
over  two-thirds  of  the  vanilla  beans  imported  by  the  United  States — 
140,000  pounds  a  year,  worth  $640,000. 

The  vanilla  of  Mexico  is  the  superior  of  all  other  varieties  as  to 
aroma,  and  the  pod  yields  a  much  larger  quantity  of  essential  oils.  In 
the  markets  of  the  United  States  it  commands  two  or  three  times  as 
high  a  price  as  that  of  other  countries. 

Usually  the  plant  begins  to  yield  thirty-nine  months  after  planting. 
It  thrives  best  in  the  damp,  not  muddy  or  swampy,  lands  of  the  Torrid 
Zone,  shade  being  a  necessity;  and  yields  its  product  during  ten  to 
twelve  years.  The  average  yield  is  from  10  to  20  pods  to  the  vine, 
artificial  fertilization  of  the  flower  producing  much  more.  The  culti- 
vation of  vanilla  has  many  advantages,  among  others  that  corn  and 
similar  products  may  be  cultivated  in  conjunction  with  it,  and  on 
coffee  plantations  as  a  secondary  product. 

In  Mexico  the  pods  are  sold  by  the  thousand.  The  cost  for  clearing 
and  planting  an  acre  of  ground  is  estimated  at  $39,  and  the  cultiva- 
tion, including  the  artificial  pollenizing  of  the  flower,  amounts  to 
about  $9  a  year  for  each  acre.  The  expense  of  gathering,  curing,  and 
preparing  the  pods  for  market  is  about  $26.50  per  thousand.  Of 
recent  years  green  vanilla  has  been  selling  at  Papautla,  a  canton  of 
509a— 04 13 


l',>4  MEXICO. 

the  State  of  Veracruz,  where  the  best  quality  grows,  at  prices  ranging 
from  $80  upward  a  thousand  pods.  In  1896  it  sold  for  $14n'  a 
thousand. 

Vanilla  grows  in  the  States  of  Veracruz,  Oaxaca,  Chiapas,  Tabasco, 
Michoacan,  and  Jalisco,  also  on  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec,  where 
there  an-  two  .-pecies  growing  in  a  wild  state. 

According  to  Mexican  official  statistics,  the  production  of  the  vanilla 
bean  for  the  last  live  years  i-  estimated  ai  the  following  figures: 


Kilos. 


Value. 


1898. 
1899. 
1900. 
1901. 
1902. 


11,794 

18,941 

14,863 

127,681 

6,219 


81,628,630 
B68.967 

[,872,  162 


Total. 


209,498         4,365,014 


Exports  of  vanilla  for  1902  are  officially  estimated  by  Mexican 
authorities  at  51,492  kilos,  valued  at  $1,145,904,  of  which  amount  the 
United  States  took  47,642  kilos,  with  a  valuation  of  $1,027,774,  the 
other  exporters  being  France,  Canada,  and  Italy,  in  the  order  given. 
Consul-General  Harlow  reports  that  there  are  12  American  linn-  in 
the  State  of  Veracruz  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  bean. 

Sugar  cane. — The  cultivation  of  sugar  cane  was  among  the  agricul- 
tural improvements  introduced  into  Mexico  by  the  Spaniards.  It 
appears  that  Cortes  had  two  plantations  in  Izcalpam.  and  these  were 
followed  by  others  until  in  1553  sugar  was  exported  from  Mexico  to 
Spain  and  Peru.  The  cultivation  of  the  cane  was  then  limited  to  the 
k*  Intendencias''  of  Guanajuato,  Guadalajara,  Puebla,  Mexico,  and 
Veracruz.  Toward  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  century  the  industr}1- 
received  a  great  impetus  on  account  of  the  poor  crops  of  Santo 
Domingo  and  other  cane-producing  countries.  The  increase  in  the 
development  of  the  industry,  however,  was  not  so  great  as  had  been 
anticipated.  All  the  coasts  of  the  Republic,  the  entire  tierra  caHentt 
or  hot  lands,  and  a  great  part  of  the  temperate  region  are  adapted  to 
the  cultivation  of  sugar  cane. 

The  cane,  especially  on  the  Gulf  slope,  grows  to  an  enormous  size, 
and  does  not  need  regrowing  for  ten  years  at  least.  No  plowing  or 
irrigating  is  needed.  Clearing,  planting,  and  cultivation  does  not  cost 
$45  per  acre,  and  the  cane  is  ready  to  cut  in  ten  months  after  plant- 
ing. The  plant  produces  from  30  to  35  tons  of  cane  per  acre,  yield- 
ing 20  to  '2.")  tons  of  juice,  containing  from  15  to  16  per  cent  of  crys- 
tallizable  sugar,  and  a  plantation  well  cared  for  will  yield  for  thirty 
years.  The  process  most  in  vogue  only  extracts  about  6  per  cent  of 
this  sugar;  it  is  asserted  that  by  the  use  of  improved  machinery  an 


SUGAR    CANE.  195 

acre  could  be  made  to  yield  3  tons  of  refined  sugar.  At  Suchilapam 
and  adjacent  places  four  canes  have  yielded  a  gallon  of  juice. 

It  is  claimed a  that  in  the  States  of  Morelos,  Puebla,  Michoacan, 
Jalisco,  and  Colima  the  yield  of  cane  to  the  acre  may  be  reasonably 
counted  upon  at  45  tons,  while  in  Veracruz,  Oaxaca,  and  Chiapas  as 
much  as  60  tons  are  obtained,  the  general  average  in  the  northern 
part  of  Veracruz,  Tamaulipas,  and  Nuevo  Leon  being  40  tons.  The 
same  authoritiy  quotes  an  estimate,  which  is  claimed  to  be  very  con- 
servative, of  the  results  that  can  be  obtained  in  a  500-acre  plantation, 
the  net  product  of  which  is  estimated  at  $188,425  per  annum,  while 
the  approximate  cost  of  machinery,  buildings,  etc.,  for  a  sugar  factory 
to  take  off  the  crop  in  one  hundred  days  is  given  at  from  $100,000  to 
$300,000  Mexican  currency. 

In  regard  to  the  sugar  production  of  Mexico,  the  following  extracts 
are  taken  from  an  interesting  paper  on  the  subject  by  Mr.  Alfred  F. 
Gray:6 

"  Mexico  is  in  many  respects  an  ideal  sugar-producing  country.  In 
many  parts  of  the  Republic  the  climate  and  soil  are  favorable  to  the 
growth  of  the  sugar  cane,  and  not  only  is  the  cane  itself  very  rich  in 
saccharine  matter,  but  replanting  every  year  is  not  necessary,  as  it  is 
in  Louisiana;  for  example,  as  many  as  eight  or  ten  crops  being  gath- 
ered in  Mexico  before  new  seed  need  be  planted.  There  is  no  reason, 
so  far  as  natural  conditions  are  concerned,  why  Mexico  in  certain  parts 
should  not  rank  with  Cuba  as  a  sugar  producer,  and  that  she  is  not 
yet  an  important  factor  in  the  world's  market  as  a  producer  rather 
than  a  consumer  is  due  to  the  fact  that  production  has  barely  caught 
up  with  home  consumption. 

"Though  the  Mexican  sugar  plantations  best  known  to  the  outside 
world  are  in  the  lowlands  along  the  Gulf  coast,  notabl}^  in  Veracruz, 
sugar  is  successfully  raised  in  many  States  of  the  Republic,  including 
Tabasco,  Jalisco,  Morelos,  Puebla,  Sinaloa,  Guerrero,  Yucatan,  Michoa- 
can, Oaxaca,  San  Luis  Potosi,  Colima,  and  others.  These  plantations 
are  owned  and  have  been  owned  for  generations  by  old  Mexican  fam- 
ilies who  possess  immense  tracts  of  land  and  have  had  an  abundance 
of  cheap  peon  labor.  Their  mills  were  primitive,  though  the  cost  of 
installing  them  in  the  inaccessible  portions  of  the  interior  and  unde- 
veloped States  was  prohibitive  for  all  except  men  of  wealth,  as  wealth 
was  reckoned  in  Mexico  some  years  ago,  and  this  same  lack  of  trans- 
portation facilities  added  much  to  the  cost  of  the  product  anywhere 
outside  of  the  local  market  of  each  plantation.  As  a  consequence  the 
country's  production  of  sugar  has  heretofore  been  far  short  of  the 
demand. 

«The  Hacendado  Mexicano's  sugar  report,  1899-1900,  p.  3.     Mexico  City. 
&  "The  Banker  and  Miner  of  Mexico."     July  1,  1903. 


196  MEXICO. 

"These  conditions,  and  the  further  fact  that  the  Government,  in 
pursuance  of  its  general  plan  of  protecting  home  industries,  placed  an 

import  tax  on  sugar  of  15  cents  (Mexican)  per  kilo,  or  2.67  cent-  per 
pound  in  our  currency,  made  the  BUgar  industry  a  very  profitable  one. 
and  in  the  recent  awakening  of  the  country  to  new  life  and  activity 
much  new  capital  has  been  invested  in  sugar  plantation-. 

"A  large  part  of  this  investment  has  been  made  by  local  capital. 
Hut  there  are  many  Americans  who  have  made  investments  in  Mexican 
sugar  plantations  individually  and  in  plantation  companies.''  Several 
Louisiana  planters,  having  got  under  cultivation  practically  all  the 
available  home  territory,  have  extended  their  operations  into  the 
cheaper  Mexican  country,  and  a  number  of  companies  for  the  exploi- 
tation of  sugar  plantations  have  been  formed  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  and 
other  western  States  in  the  past  few  years  and  are  now  beginning  to 
produce. 

"It  appears,  however,  that  there  has  not  yet  been  established  in 
Mexico  what  is  considered  in  New  York  to  be  a  regular  sugar  refinery. 
There  are  many  mills  and  small  factories,  the  primitive  concerns  of 
the  old  plantations  in  the  more  remote  districts,  and  there  have  lately 
been  built  a  number  of  modem  factories  that  have  cost  from  $300,000 
to  $500,000  in  United  States  currency,  which  produce  raw  or  partially 
refined  sugar  from  the  cane.  But  a  refinery,  as  we  use  the  word, 
means  a  plant  to  manufacture  the  many  grades  of  refined  sugar  out  of 
raw  cane. 

"The  increased  production  due  to  the  new  enterprises  in  this  line  is 
having  its  effect  on  the  Mexican  sugar  market.  Their  output  has 
very  materially  increased  the  total  production  of  the  country.  In  the 
season  of  1899-1900  this  amounted  to  78,000  tons  of  2,240 pounds  each; 
in  1900-1901  it  was  95,000  tons:  in  1901-2  it  was  103,110tons,  and  the 
last  crop.  1902-3,  is  estimated  at  L15,000  tons.  Naturally  the  price 
has  fallen  in  consequence  of  this  increased  supply,  as  the  consumption 
has  not  correspondingly  increased.  In  Mexico  the  price  asked  for 
firsi  sugars  in  carload  lots  last  January  was  S-2.7r»  to  S.",  Mexican  cur- 
rency, per  arroba  of  25  pounds,  which  is  equivalent  to  4. US  cents  to 
4.70  cents  per  pound  in  United  States  currency,  and  in  May  the  price 
had  fallen  to  the  equivalent  of  3.61  cents  United  State-,  currency,  per 
pound. 

•'This  decline  in  the  Mexican  market  is  the  more  remarkable  because 
at  the  same  time  the  prices  of  sugar  in  the  markets  of  the  world  were 
steady,  with  advances  in  some  parts.  In  other  words,  the  production 
of  sugar  in  Mexico  is  approaching  the  point  where  it  will  satisfy  the 

a  Consul-General  Barlow  report.*  21  American  firms  engaged  in  sugar  planting  and 
manufacture,  as  follows:  Chiapas,  1;  Yucatan,  1;  Lower  California,  2;  Oaxaca,  2; 
Tabasco,  2;  and  Veracruz,  13. 


SUGAR   CANE. 


197 


needs  of  the  country,  while  the  rest  of  the  world  is  in  need  of  new 
•sources  of  supply.  The  dividing  wall  between  the  two  markets  is  the 
protective  import  duty  Mexico  has  set  upon  imported  sugar.  But 
Mexico  is  beginning  to  climb  over  that  wall,  as  is  evidenced  by  the 
recent  shipment  of  25,000  bags  of  sugar  from  Veracruz  to  Liverpool 
and  New  York. 

"Mexico  must  now  be  classed  among  the  countries  which  export 
sugar,  and  the  quantity  which  she  will  ship  to  foreign  countries  will 
doubtless  steadily  increase.  The  assessment  of  2.67  cents  (United 
States  currency)  per  pound  duty  on  any  sugar  which  might  be  imported 
is  a  great  protection  to  the  sugar  producers  and  enables  them  to  main- 
tain a  price  for  sugar  sold  for  local  consumption  sufficiently  high  to 
offset  any  small  loss  which  might  result  from  the  export  of  part  of 
their  crops  to  foreign  countries.  For  instance,  in  case  their  local 
price  should  decline  to  3  cents  per  pound,  they  could  well  afford  to 
sell  66  pounds  of  their  production  at  this  figure,  and  accept  as  low  as 
1£  cents  per  pound  on  34  pounds  shipped  out  of  the  country,  thus 
making  an  average  of  2.49  cents  per  pound  net  at  the  factory,  which 
would  show  a  good  profit  on  sugar  which  cost  1£  to  2  cents  per  pound 
to  produce. 

"As  labor  in  Mexico  is  abundant  and  cheap,  and  much  land  suitable 
for  the  cultivation  of  sugar  cane  is  still  available,  the  sugar  industry 
of  the  country  may  be  expected  to  extend  to  large  proportions,  and 
the  country  offers  a  desirable  field  for  the  conservative  investor  who 
possesses  abundant  capital  and  the  necessary  technical  knowledge  of 
sugar  production." 

The  total  production  of  sugar  cane  during  the  year  1901-2,  according 
to  the  "Anuario  Estadistico,"  amounted  to  2,745,686,000  kilos,  valued  at 
$22,872,033,  the  following  being  the  States  producing  over  20,000,000 
kilos: 


State. 

Kilos. 

Value. 

20,716,931 

■23, 585, 868 

28, 625, 360 

41,696,422 

73, 303, 803 

105, 575, 770 

166,294,760 

176, 175, 400 

238, 340, 187 

372, 835, 200 

558, 323, 900 

$213, 896 

269, 409 

345, 120 

1,272,699 

830, 202 

599, 130 

3, 360, 895 

499, 828 

2,424,276 

350, 880 

6, 102, 472 

198 


MEXICO. 


The  production  of  sugar  and  molasses  for  the  same  period,  accord- 
ing to  the  same  authority,  is  shown  in  the  following  table: 


Sl.lt.-. 


White  sugar. 


Brown  sugar  (Pano- 

cha  i. 


Molasses. 


California 

i  lampeche  . .. 

Coahuila 

Colima 

Chiapas 

I '  u  ra  1 1 

Guanajuato. 
Guerrero.  ... 
Iliiliil- 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

Michoacan. . 
Morelos.. 
Nuevo  Leon . 
Oaxaca  . ... 

Puebla 

Quer£taro. . . 
San  Luis  J'<>t' 

Sinaloa 

Sonora 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas . 

Tepic 

Yucatan 

Zacatecas  


Kilos. 


194,810 

30,  (WO 

553,049 


1,106,201 

5,000 

8,286,200 

198, 1  r> 

8,953,  146 

41, 546,08s 

13,900 

6,988.771 


123,000 

5, 150, 000 


809,198 

10,000 

1,556,900 

3,318,404 


Total *2,307,887 


Value. 


179,  B89 

6,000 
290, 940 
133,716 


■:i>..  868 

2,000 

1,795,  133 

40,911 

1,907,357 

8,034,153 

2,780 

326, 873 

1,478,864 


31,980 
1,175,000 


131,839 

■_',TJU0 
871,518 

1,065,639 


KUot. 
1,640,140 

36.000 

8,856,606 

95,000 
1,659,874 
4,993,128 
5, 500, 251 

150,389 
8,748,090 

517,500 

11,875,425 
72,200 

4,006,396 

2,506,025 

139, 689 

793,840 

931,173 

686, 420 

3, 528, 700 

3, 027, 200 


17,103,760 


68,046,713 


Valxu . 

1180,090 
10,583 
95,976 

29,164 
370, 108 

9,000 
137,941 
408, 179 
623,917 
53.109 

56,596 

900,942 
310, 366 

7,020 

264,168 

365, 326 

30, 473 

62.005 

73.  512 

66,803 

280,296 

243,586 


KUot. 

1,000 
1,853,850 

30,280 

1,926,661 


590,159 

500,000 

2,359,640 

318,700 

3, 607, 532 

22,827,279 

113,750 

6, 408, 068 

3, 596, 600 

200,000 

420 

236,200 

600 

984,833 


209,290 
1,841,348 


7,141,528 


47,210,630 


Value. 
1160 
US,  219 

3, 039 
20,916 

109,030 


26,561 

50,000 

168,  156 
944,748 

122,192 

2,000 
12 

300 


1,828 


2,735,940 


Rum  from  sugarcane  is  given  for  the  same  period  at  358,185  hecto- 
liters, estimated  at  §1,028,616,  the  total  production  for  the  last  rive 
years  being,  in  round  numbers,  3,000,000  hectoliters,  at  $50,000,*  >uo. 

Heniquen. — Chief  among  the  numberless  fiber  plants  produced  by 
Mexico  is  the  heniqiten  {Agavt  rigida\  also  called  sisal  grass  or  hemp, 
the  natural  home  of  which  is  the  Peninsula  of  Yucatan.  It  belongs  to 
the  Maguey  {Agave)  family,  and  was  called  metl  by  the  Aztecs,  who 
from  time  immemorial  used  it  as  an  article  of  food,  the  leaves  being 
utilized  for  roofing,  the  fiber  for  weaving,  and  the  juice  for  the  prepa- 
ration of  a  drink  called  octli,  the  pulque  of  to-day. 

There  are  several  species  of  the  plant,  known  by  Maya  names,  and 
which  require  little  or  no  cultivation  and  but  small  outlay. 

The  production  of  this  fiber  in  1901— 2  is  officially  given  as  54,597,500 
kilo-,  valued  at  (16,937,809,  and  for  the  last  five  years  at  the  following 
figures: 


Year. 

Kiln-. 

Value. 

1 398 

67,  312.  462 
118,  S7J,  140 

>7,  613, 966 
81,677,698 
54, 597, 500 

815,351,233 

1899 

33, 227, 203 

1900 

18,262,786 

1901 

22,041,825 

1902 

16, 937, 809 

Total 

410,074,066 

105,820,856 

The  condition  of  the  heniquen  industry  in  Yucatan  in  1901-2  is  given 
as  follows  by  United  States  Consul  E.  H.  Thompson  at  Progreso,  in 
a  report  made  to  the  Department  of  State  of  the  United  States: 


FIBER. 


199 


The  output  of  the  Yucatan  fiber  for  the  ten  years  ended  December 
31,  1901,  was: 

[Each  bale  weighs  approximately  400  pounds.    A  bale  of  hemp  at  present  prices  is  worth  $84  Mexican. 
The  Mexican  dollar  is  worth  about  40|  cents  gold.] 


Year. 

Bales. 

Year. 

Bales. 

1892 

Number. 
353, 525 
355, 123 
373, 883 
381,504 
397, 163 
419, 975 

1898 

Number. 
418, 972 
445  978 

1893 

1899 

1894 

1900 

499, 634 
517, 519 

1895 

1901 

Total 

1897 

4, 103, 276 

The  output  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  June  30,  1902,  was: 


Month. 


Bales. 


Weight. 


Value. 


Mexican 
currency. 


United 

States 

currency. 


1901. 

July  

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

1902 

January 

February  

March 

April 

May 

June 

Total 


Number. 

64,  460 
48,  726 
44,634 
32, 455 
40, 328 
34,747 


45, 998 
38, 052 
60, 915 
61,887 
50, 547 
41,559 


Tons. 
10, 319.  7 
7, 988. 6 
7,271.9 
5,295.7 
6, 342. 3 
5, 515. 1 


7. 355. 1 

5. 889. 2 
9, 712. 7 
9,769.8 
7, 956. 7 
6, 588. 4 


81, 960, 737 
1,917,277 
2, 327, 017 
1, 725, 912 
2, 377, 077 
2, 126, 960 


2, 726, 792 
2, 334, 179 
3, 496, 591 
4, 469, 689 
3,433,308 
2, 662, 344 


1841,156 
822, 512 
998, 290 
720, 416 
1,019,766 
912, 466 


1, 169, 794 
1,001,363 
1,500,038 
1,917,497 
1,472,909 
1, 142, 246 


564, 308 


90, 005. 3 


31,557,888 


13, 538, 343 


The  "Boletin  de  Estadistica  Fiscal"  for  1901-2  estimates  the  total 
exports  of  raw  henequen  at  91,911,355  kilos,  with  a  valuation  of 
$29,209,515,  while  during  the  first  six  months  of  1902-3  the  same 
publication  for  such  period  gives  the  following  figures:  37,510,881 
kilos,  at  $15,030,217. 

Ixtle. — The  isetle,  or  maguey  manso  (Agave  ixtle),  is  another  impor- 
tant fiber,  imported  into  the  United  States  as  Tampico  fiber,  for  the 
manufacture  of  paper,  and  other  industries.  The  quantity  of  ixtle 
produced  by  Mexico  in  1901-2  is  estimated  at  12,183,662  kilos,  with  a 
valuation  of  $1,706,892.  Coahuila  is  the  largest  producer,  followed 
by  San  Luis  Potosi  and  Oaxaca.  The  production  of  this  fiber  has 
been  on  the  increase  for  the  last  five  years,  as  shown  by  the  follow- 
ing table: 


Year. 

Kilos. 

Value. 

1898 

8,263,359 

8,354,353 
8,474.194 
9, 639, 867 
12, 483, 662 

S693, 189 

1899 

808, 621 

1900 

961, 769 

1901 

•  1,082,617 

1902 

1,706,892 

47,215,435 

5, 253, 088 

200  MEXICO. 

The  exports  of  raw  ixtle  during:  1901-2  are  thus  estimated  by  the 
"Boletin  de  Estadistica"  for  the  same  period,  12,475,361  kilos,  at 
$1,745,077,  and  for  the  first  half  of  1902-3  at  the  following  figures, 
8,645,059  kilos,  at  $1,465,950. 

Other  fibers. — There  are  many  other  fiber  plants  in  the  country, 
such  as  cotton,  already  mentioned;  the  angii  (Stbiscus  esculenfais), 
which  also  serves  as  food;  hemp  (Canabis  indica),  both  textile  and 
medicinal;  the  ceibon  or  cotton-silk  tree  (JBorribax  pentandria);  the 
hunari  (Sida  romboidecC^  also  medicinal;  several  plants  of  the  Agave 
f  amity;  the  pita  or  wild  pineapple  {Furcrea  gigantea);  the  pitahaya 
[Cei'vus  r<ir!<il)il!s)\  the  ramie  {Boehmneria  hwea),  of  w^ich  there  are 
two  varieties;  and  several  others,  such  as  the  plantain  {Musa  textiUs), 
the  cocoanut  tree  {Corn*  nucifera),  and  the  Lechuguilla  (Agave 
heteroccmta). 

Mug u<  ij  mill  its  jn'ixJncts. — The  "  maguey,"  from  which  the  national 
drink,  pulque,  is  extracted,  is  indigenous  to  Mexico,  but  it  is  found 
growing  in  the  United  States,  although  not  in  any  great  abundance. 
There  are  125  species  of  this  plant  peculiar  to  Mexico.  The  "  maguej" " 
grows  most  abundantly  on  the  great  plains,  the  plateaus,  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  more  than  7,000  feet  above  the  sea.  On  the  vast  plains  of 
Apam,  about  100  miles  from  the  capital,  the  plants  are  to  be  seen  as 
far  as  the  ejTe  can  reach,  laid  out  in  straight  rows  having  an  interval 
of  3  yards  between  them.  It  is  said  that  there  are  33  species  of  the 
plant  on  the  plateaus.  As  far  back  as  1519  the  native  Mexicans  culti- 
vated the  "  maguey,"  of  which  great  variety  of  products  were  obtained 
from  the  roots,  leaves,  and  juice.  Paper  was  made  from  the  pulp  of 
the  leaves,  twine  and  thread  from  their  fibers,  and  needles  from  the 
sharp  tips  of  their  leaves.  These  leaves  also  serve  as  thatching  for 
the  houses  of  the  poor.  The  rare  and  valuable  Mexican  manuscripts 
in  ancient  times  were  made  of  pulp  from  the  "  maguey."*  which  resem- 
bles the  papyrus.  It  is  claimed  that  at  least  40  different  articles  are 
manufactured  from  the  plant.  Some  of  the  "maguey"  plantations 
produce  a  revenue  of  $10,000  to  $12,000  per  annum. 

Pulque  is  the  fermented  juice  of  this  plant,  and  the  consumption  of 
this  beverage  in  the  City  of  Mexico  and  outlying  towns  in  the  Federal 
District  is  something  enormous.  In  the  city  alone  in  1901-2  there 
were  over  1,000  shops  devoted  exclusively  to  its  sale.  A  train  on  the 
Mexican  Railway  leaves  the  plains  of  Apam  eveiy  day  laden  with 
nothing  but  pulque  in  barrels  and  skins,  deriving  a  large  revenue  from 
the  shipments. 

The  production  of  pulque  during  the  fiscal  year  1901-2  is  estimated 
at  3,168,602  hectoliters,  valued  at  $4,009,219,  the  principal  producer 
being  Tlaxcala,  with  an  output  of  2,070,502  hectoliters,  valued  at 
$2,110,216,  and  next  Hidalgo,  with  776,835  hectoliters,  at  $1,096,586, 
and  Mexico,  with  about  207,500  hectoliters,  valued  at  about  $440,000. 


ZACATON.  201 

Mescal  or  tequila  is  a  strong  alcoholic  beverage,  colorless  or  of  a  very 
light  amber  tint.  It  is  distilled  from  the  root  of  the  "  maguey  mezcal " 
or  " tequila"  (Agave  americana  Lam.),  and  has  an  odor  and  taste  not 
unlike  Scotch  whisky.  Mexicans  claim  that  it  has  good  stomachic  quali- 
ties, but  it  is  a  great  intoxicant.  The  best  quality  of  the  article  comes 
from  the  district  of  Tequila,  in  the  State  of  Jalisco,  from  which  it 
derives  its  name.  The  total  output  for  1901-2  is  officially  estimated 
at  188,732  hectoliters,  at  $3,711,198,  the  production  of  the  State  of 
Jalisco  alone  being  credited  with  $1,171,670  for  the  finer  grade  (tequila), 
and  $61,290  for  mezcal  or  the  coarser  variety.  The  total  product  of 
the  country  for  the  last  five  years  was  1,199,017  hectoliters,  valued  at 
$25,217,106. 

TlacMque  is  the  unfermented  juice  of  the  maguey  plant,  and  is  also 
consumed  in  large  quantities,  the  output  in  1901-2  being  1,180,192 
hectoliters,  valued  at  $2,258,150,  the  State  of  Mexico  being  credited 
with  over  610,000  hectoliters,  at  $1,063,000. 

Zacaton. — Among  the  numerous  plants  that  Mexico  produces  that 
are  being  utilized  in  the  industries  of  various  countries  is  ''zacaton,"  or 
broom  root.  It  belongs  to  the  family  of  Graminaes  (Epicamyes 
macroura),  and  is  found  in  a  wild  state  in  many  sections  of  the  country. 
Having  been  classed  as  a  weed,  it  has  never  been  cultivated  to  any 
extent.  The  valuable  part  of  this  plant  is  the  root.  This  may  be 
gathered  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  A  peon  digs  it  up  with  a  tool 
resembling  a  hoe,  and  it  is  subjected  to  a  cleaning  operation  by  which 
the  root  is  deprived  of  its  thin  skin  and  all  objectionable  matter.  The 
root  is  then  exposed  to  the  fumes  of  Sulphur,  for  the  purpose  of 
bleaching  it  to  the  pale,  yellowish  color  preferred  by  the  trade;  it  is 
then  sorted  by  quality,  the  preferred  parts  being  the  thin  and  straight, 
or  only  slightly  curly  ones.  Zacaton  is  packed  in  bales  for  shipment, 
the  material  being  compressed  by  a  primitive  contrivance.  Experi- 
ments have  proven  the  beneficial  effects  of  cultivation,  the  root  pro- 
duced being  superior  to  that  of  the  wild  species. 

France  and  Germany  are  the  principal  markets  for  zacaton,  fully 
90  per  cent  of  the  entire  yearly  shipments  from  Veracruz  going  to 
those  countries,  the  remaining  10  per  cent  being  shipped  to  the  United 
States,  Belgium,  Spain,  England,  Holland,  etc. 

The  following  prices,  per  50  kilograms  (110  pounds),  are  quoted  for 
zacaton  at  Hamburg: 

Marks. 

Lowgrade 30  to  34=$7. 14  to  $8.  09 

Ordinary 39  to  42=  9.  28  to    9.99 

Middling 43  to  46=10. 23  to  10.  94 

Fine 50  to  58= 11 .  90  to  13.  80 

Extra  superior 63  to  75=14.99  to  17.85 

The  average  value  at  Hamburg  is  $11  to  $13  in  United  States  cur- 
rency per  50  kilos.     The  shipments  of  zacaton  through  the  port  of 


202  MEXICO. 

Veracruz  amount  to  2,500  metric  tons  yearly,  valued  at  $800,onn  at 
the  point  of  embarkation. 

Official  statistics  for  1902  give  the  total  exports  of  zacaton  during 
that  year  at  3.s:-,,:-,,,< >i'7  kilos,  valued  at  $1, 468,035.  Germany  is  rep- 
resented in  this  export,  in  round  numbers,  with  1,670,000  kilos  at 
$730,000;  France  with  1,308,000  kilos  at  $182,000,  and  the  United 
State>  778,000  kilos  at  $226,000. 

Oleaginous  plants. — Mexico  produces  several  plants  yielding  oils, 
both  industrial  and  esculent;  but  up  to  the  present  no  great  industry 
has  been  founded  in  the  country  based  upon  the  presence  of  many  rari- 
ties of  trees  and  plants  giving  oil-bearing  products  and  the  adaptability 
of  much  of  the  soil  to  the  cultivation  of  these  and  other  species. 

Among  this  kind  of  plants  may  be  mentioned  the  pinun  (Jatropha 
ewrcas),  which  yields  16  per  cent  of  an  emeto-cathartic  oil  of  great 
strength. 

The  Palma  cforisfi,  or  castor  bean  (Riccinus  corn  muni*),  yields  10  per 
cent  of  a  medicinal  oil.  As  this  contains  a  large  proportion  of  stearin  it 
can  be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  candles.  This  plant  grows  spon- 
taneously and  in  great  profusion  in  the  hot  and  low  temperate  lands. 
One  acre  will  produce  about  1,600  pounds  of  oil.  The  ajonjoM  {Sesa- 
mun  indicum),  or  sesame,  gives  33  per  cent  of  a  very  soft,  sweet,  and 
agreeable  oil. 

The  nut  of  the  hlcaco  ( Chrysohalanus  icaco)  also  produces  the  same 
percentage  of  an  esculent  oil  having  the  same  properties  as  the  almond 
oil. 

The  peanut  (Arachis  hypog&a)  gives  the  same  amount,  This  and  the 
last  above-named  oil  are  much  prized  in  Marseille. 

Among  the,  oleaginous  plants  may  be  mentioned  the  following:  Cacao 
(Theobrorna  cacao),  cocoanut  (Cocos  nucifera  and  Alfonsia  Juris 
oleifera),  the  chicalote  {Argrmonr.  im, vicuna  and  A.  grandiflora),  the 
chia  {Salvia  pol ystiichia),  the  linseed,  and  others. 

The  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  1901-2  estimates  as  follows  the  pro- 
duction of  several  oleaginous  plants:  Sesamun,  17,839  hectoliters, 
$92,593;  peanut,  101,851  hectoliters,  $355,739;  castor  bean,  38,330, 
$161,619;  linseed  53,560  hectoliters,  at  $268,500. 

.  VUiculture. — The  experiment  of  introducing  the  vine,  olive  trees, 
and  the  silkworm  industry  into  Mexico  dates  back  as  far  as  the  con- 
quest. •Cortes  himself  had  plantations  of  mulberry  trees  at  Yautepec 
and  Tetecla.  The  silkworm  industry  made  fair  progress  at  first,  but 
the  competition  of  Manila  and  Spain  caused  its  gradual  neglect.  In 
1790  an  effort  was  made  to  revive  it,  but  without  success. 

"The  cultivation  of  olives  and  the  vine,"  says  Bancroft,"  "labored 
under  severe  restrictions.  Admirably  adapted  as  soil  and  climate 
were  for  both  purposes,  the  few  plantations  of  olives  were  merely 

"History  of  Mexico,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  613. 


VITICULTURE.  203 

allowed  to  exist  because  they  belonged  to  pious  or  charitable  estab- 
lishments, while  as  to  the  vine,  the  viceroys  were  repeatedly  instructed 
not  to  permit  the  planting  of  new  cuttings,  nor  even  the  replacing  of 
vines  in  decay  (1595).  Wine  could  only  be  made  on  condition  of 
paying  taxes  to  the  Crown,  and  it  was  not  until  1796  that  a  more 
liberal  policy  in  this  respect  was  adopted." 

At  the  beginning  of  this  chapter  reference  was  made  to  the  efforts  of 
the  Department  of  Promotion  to  encourage  the  culture  of  these  plants. 
According  to  a  report  made  by  Senor  Don  Francisco  Mallen  to  the 
Department  of  Promotion  on  the  encouragement  given  to  the  propa- 
gation of  vines  and  fruit  trees  in  the  country,  Mexico,  in  1892,  imported 
1,053,150  plants,  as  follows:  Vine  cuttings,  simple,  1,030,000;  with 
roots,  11,000;  olive  cuttings,  9,250,  and  fruit  trees  of  different  varieties, 
3,200.  More  than  half  a  million  of  these  vine  cuttings  and  1,000  olive 
shoots  were  planted  in  Parrasand  62,500  cuttings  in  Viezca,  both  in  the 
State  of  Coahuila;  50,000  in  Ciudad  Juarez,  Chihuahua,  and  the  rest 
were  distributed  in  the  Central  Plateau  and  other  regions  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  Republic.  The  first  trial  plantations  were  very  succeesful, 
and  the  culture  of  the  fine  imported  qualities  has  become  more  general, 
the  planters  having  requested  renewals  of  their  original  orders.  The 
grape  thrives  best  in  Parras,  which  has  become  the  center  of  viticulture 
in  the  countiy.  California  vines  have  given  better  satisfaction  in  this 
section  than  those  from  Europe.  At  the  time  of  the  above-mentioned 
report  (1892)  the  Rosario  plantation  or  vineyard  (the  largest  in  the 
Republic)  had  made  a  request  for  25,000  additional  cuttings,  being 
already  supplied  with  60,000  vine  stocks  of  the  European  and  about 
13,000  of  the  California  species,  some  of  the  former  having  been  grown 
from  those  distributed  by  the  Department  of  Promotion,  while  others 
had  been  imported  directly  from  Spain,  Italy,  and  France.  It  has 
been  demonstrated  that  the  California  species  thrives  better. 

According  to  the  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  1901-2  the  grape  pro- 
duction of  the  country  during  that  year  amounted  to  2,617,871  kilos, 
at  $190,966.  Coahuila's  production  is  given  at  1,444,730  kilos,  valued 
at  $61,196.  Lower  California,  in  round  numbers,  produced  309,000 
kilos,  at  $38^000;  Durango  235,000  kilos,  $31,000;  Agua  Calientes 
23-1,000  kilos,  at  $6,200.  Grape  rum  and  grape  wine  are  estimated 
by  the  same  authority,  for  the  same  period,  at  1,913  hectoliters  of  rum 
at  $77,100  and  8,111  hectoliters  of  wine  at  $226,470.  Coahuila's  pro- 
duction of  rum  was  1,883  hectoliters  at  $75,320,  and  7,183  hectoliters 
of  wine  at  $192,600. 

It  can  not  be  said  that  Mexico  has  yet  developed  as  a  wine  produc- 
ing country,  but  serious  efforts  in  this  direction  have  been  made  since 
1883.  The  wines  now  made,  as  a  rule,  are  too  light  and  acidulous. 
Table  grapes  are  raised  in  considerable  quantity,  however,  and  their 
quality  is  becoming  a  dangerous  rival  to  the  California  varieties  for 
local  consumption. 


204  MEXICO. 

The  land  best  adapted  to  viticulture  is  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of 
Parras,  Mate  of  Coahnila.  Since  1890  the  industry  of  the  manufacture 
of  wines  has  been  making  great  strides.     Several  varieties  of  vines  have 

been  imported  t'ii mi  abroad,  and  at  the  two  largest  wineries  cellars 
have  been  constructed  and  all  the  latest  improvements  for  vinous  fer- 
mentation introduced,  being  under  the  management  and  direction  of 
foreign  experts  in  the  art.  In  1897  there  were  about  4,1100  acres 
planted  in  vine-  in  the  locality  named,  most  of  the  grapes  being  of  the 
variety  known  in  California  as  the  "Mission"  grape,  it  having  been 
introduced  there  by  the  missionary  fathers  from  Spain.  In  the  year 
noted  wine  sold  on  the  ground  at  $1.20  per  gallon  Mexican  money. 

Olwt  'i ml  iinilh, ■/■/■//  tree*. — As  regards  olive  and  mulberry  trees,  the 
only  official  data  available  show  that  in  1S93  there  were  imported 
72,000  olive  cuttings,  of  which  4,000  were  planted  in  Parrss.  It  is 
anticipated  that  the  encouragement  given  this  industry  by  the  Depart 
ment  of  Promotion  will  greatly  advance  its  progress.  When  the  late 
Gen.  Carlos  Pacheco  was  Secretary  of  Promotion  he  gave  new  life  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  vine  and  the  mulberry  tree.  The  latter,  which 
is  so  necessary  to  the  silkworm  industry,  is  now  receiving  attention 
in  many  places,  principally  in  the  States  of  Puebla,  Jalisco,  Michoacan, 
and  Guanajuato.  A  Mexican  planted,  in  1896, 152,000  mulberry  trees 
in  the  State  of  Guanajuato,  pursuant  to  a  contract  made  with  the  State 
legislature,  in  which  contract  he  binds  himself  to  lay  out  2,000,000 
trees  within  two  years. 

FRUITS. 

Mexico  possesses  exceptional  conditions  for  the  production  and 
trade  in  fruit  owing  to  her  situation  and  the  fertility  of  her  soil. 
The  United  States,  her  principal  market,  lies  at  her  very  doors,  and 
communication  by  water  and  land  is  both  rapid  and  moderate  in 
charges.  The  most  favored  Mexican  fruits  in  the  United  States  are 
the  orange,  lemon,  lime,  pineapple,  and  banana.  But  the  day  will  come 
when  other  tropical  fruits  will  be  appreciated  and  become  a  large  ele- 
ment of  the  American  imports.  Fruits  such  as  the  mango  (Mangifi  ra 
ittdica),  custard  apple  {Anacardiam  occidental  is),  chirimoya  {Anona 
cherwnolia),  mamey  (Mammea  amerioana),  zapote  (Achras  zapote),  the 
alligator  pear  (Persea  gretfismma),  and  others  which  are  distinctively 
tropical,  when  properly  appreciated,  will  be  consumed  largely  in 
American  market-. 

Bananas. — The  banana  grows  spontaneously  in  great  abundance 
near  the  Mexican  coast.  On  lands  near  the  sea,  at  an  elevation  of 
from  1,900  to  2,400  feet  above  it,  great  plantations  of  banana  trees 
can  be  laid  out  at  a  cost  of  5  cents  per  plant,  which  includes  every 
expense  up  to  the  time  of  bearing  fruit.     At  the  end  of  the  first  year 


FRUITS.  205 

the  plant  produces  one  bunch,  which  can  be  sold  in  the  United  States 
at  from  $2.50  to  $3.  A  thousand  banana  trees,  costing  $50,  will 
bring  $1,000  at  least  in  one  year.  An  acre  will  produce  from  TOO  to 
800  bunches,  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  8  cents  a  bunch,  each  of  which 
can  be  sold  on  the  ground  for  40  cents,  yielding  a  net  profit  of  at  least 
$225  per  acre.  The  exportation  of  this  fruit  from  the  West  Indies 
and  Central  America  reaches  into  the  millions  every  year. 

The  production  of  bananas  in  1901-2  is  officially  given  at  19,057,775 
kilograms,  estimated  at  $445,792.  The  largest  production,  over 
3,500,000  kilos,  is  credited  to  Michoacan;  next  ranks  Morelos,  with 
over  2,700,000  kilos;  Jalisco,  2,500,000,  and  Puebla,  with  2,335,000 
kilos.  San  Luis  Potosi,  Sinaloa,  Tamaulipas,  and  Tepic  are  credited  with 
over  1,000,000  kilos  each.  Tlaxcala  and  Aguascalientes  are  the  only 
States  not  represented  in  the  Mexican  official  statistics  in  reference. 

Oranges — The  orange  is  the  leading  member  of  the  aurantiaceous 
family  under  the  genus  citrus.  Three  kinds  grow  in  Mexico — the 
sweet,  the  sour,  and  the  Chinese  or  mandarin,  and  another  called 
"lima-orange,"  which  is  a  variety  of  the  sweet  orange.  The  country 
affords  much  better  facilities  for  the  cultivation  of  the  aurantiaceous 
fruits  than  the  southern  part  of  Europe,  which  suffers  the  disadvan- 
tage of  lack  of  rains  in  the  summer,  rendering  it  necessary  to  irrigate 
the  trees  for  five  months  in  the  year,  thereby  incurring  an  increased 
expense.  In  Mexico  the  rains  begin  in  May  or  June,  thus  rendering 
irrigation  wholly  unnecessary. 

The  California  and  Florida  stock  have  recently  been  imported  into 
the  country  and  grafted  and  budded  with  the  Mexican  trees.  Many 
thousand  acres  of  land  are  being  opened  up  to  this  cultivation  in  the 
Northern  States.  Many  are  the  uses  to  which  this  tree  can  be  put,  as 
witness  the  following  quotation  from  a  report  of  the  United  States 
consulate-general  to  Mexico." 

"The  orange  leaves  are  the  tea  of  the  Indians  and  of  the  poor,  and 
in  large  cities,  where  they  are  peddled  in  the  streets  and  sold  in  the 
markets  in  small  bunches  for  1  cent  apiece,  are  consumed  in  large 
quantities.  They  are  considered  the  best  remed}^  for  insomnia  and 
restlessness,  and  are  also  highly  commended  as  a  night  drink  for  chil- 
dren. A  fine  wine  is  manufactured  from  the  refuse  oranges  purchased 
at  20  to  30  cents  a  hundred,  in  Cuautla,  Morelos,  and  Guadalajara, 
which  retails  at  50  cents  a  bottle. 

"There  are  other  valuable  products  which  could  be  obtained,  such 
as  the  distilled  water  of  the  blossoms,  used  for  toilet  purposes,  worth 
$4.50  a  gallon;  citric  acid  from  the  pulp  of  the  sour  oranges,  worth  $1 
a  pound;  a  pomade,  much  used  as  a  cosmetic,  worth  $2.50  a  pound;  oil 

«  United  States  Consular  Reports,  "Orange  Cultivation  in  Mexico,"  Vol.  LIU,  pp. 
209-222,  1897. 


206  MEXICO. 

from  the  Leaves  and  rind,  which  constitutes  the  main  odorous  ingredj 
entfi  of  cologne  waters  and  elixirs,  worth  $;'>.5<>  to  $5  a  pound,  and  the 
essential  oils  from  the  blossoms,  leaves,  and  unripe  fruit,  known  as 
JjfenM  pe%ale\  Nercli  bigarade,  and  essence  dt  petit  grain,  high  odors 
used  by  the  perfumers,  generally  worth  from  $5  to  $6  an  ounce.  The 
second  oil  mentioned  could  be  manufactured  at  a  small  expense,  the 
(lowers  costing  not  more  than  12£  cents  a  pound,  out  of  the  numerous 
wild  groves  of  sour  oranges  existing  in  the  greater  part  of  the  tropical 
belt  of  .Mexico." 

The  orange  tree  can  be  cultivated  in  Mexico  on  lands  at  an  altitude 
from  100  to  2,500  feet  above  sea  level.  Mexican  growers  usually 
propagate  the  orange  from  the  seed,  although  it  can  be  reproduced 
more  advantageously  by  budding,  grafting,  layering,  inarching,  and 
from  cuttings.  In  the  latter  case  the  fruit  appears  in  from  four  to 
five  years,  and  in  the  former  in  from  seven  to  eight  years.  The  flower 
in  the  warmer  climates  appears  in  the  latter  part  of  October,  and  the 
season  lasts  throughout  the  whole  orange  territory  until  May.  Daring 
the  months  mentioned  the  blossoms  can  be  collected  by  placing  mats  on 
the  ground  and  gently  shaking  the  trees.  Not  less  than  from  10  to  15 
pounds  of  fresh  flowers  can  be  obtained  from  a  full-grown  tree,  and 
some  trees  produce  as  high  as  from  25  to  30  pounds."  A  good  business 
can  be  done  by  properly  drying  the  blossoms,  which  reduces  their 
weight  to  half,  and  druggists  and  dealers  pay  from  75  cents  to  $1  per 
pound  for  these.  The  fresh  blossom  brings  from  25  to  37£  cents  per 
pound. 

The  yield  of  the  orange  trees  in  Mexico  varies  considerably,  soil, 
climate,  proper  irrigation,  where  needed,  pruning,  and  cultivation 
being  important  factors  in  determining  the  extent  of  the  crops.  In 
Atlixco,  Yautepec,  and  Taeambaro  the  trees  average  860  oranges  each ; 
but  in  Atotonilco,  Montemorelos,  and  Hermosillo  the  average  yield  is 
from  1,700  to  2,200  oranges  per  year,  producing  one  crop  a  year. 
With  the  advantages  of  climate  and  soil,  the  Mexican  orange  tree 
should  yield  from  5,000  to  8,000  oranges. 

Good  orange  lands  can  be  procured  in  Lower  California,  Chihuahua, 
Coahuila,  Sinaloa,  and  Durango  for  from  $5  to  $25  Mexican  currency 
per  acre;  in  Sonora,  Nuevo  Leon,  Puebla,  and  San  Luis  Potosi,  from 
$25  to  $50  per  acre;  in  Michoacan,  from  $5  to  $50 an  acre;  in  Morelos, 
Jalisco,  and  Veracruz,  from  $100  to  $250  an  acre;  in  Guerrero,  Mexico. 
Tepic,  Tamaulipas,  Oaxaca,  the  Isthmus,  and  Chiapas,  from  $40  to  $60 
an  acre.  These  prices  are  for  small  tracts  running  from  100  to  500 
acres;  larger  tracts  can  be  obtained  much  cheaper. 

"  Sefior  Romero  (op.  at.,  p.  59)  says  the  production  of  flowers  per  tree  is  from  22 
to  55  pounds  in  the  case  of  sweet  oranges,  and  from  60  to  100  pounds  per  tree  from 
the  bitter  variety. 


OKANGES.  207 

The  United  States  yearly  consumes  about  70,000  carloads  or 
21,000,000  boxes  of  oranges;  of  these,  10,000,000  boxes  were  formerly 
furnished  by  Florida  and  about  3,000,000  by  California.  The  ship- 
ment of  oranges  frdm  Mexico  for  the  year  1896  was  about  700  car- 
loads, and  during  the  season  1896-97  the  exportation  from  the  Republic 
was  about  1,050  carloads.  Notwithstanding  the  protective  duty 
imposed  by  the  United  States  up  to  January,  1899,  the  agent  of  the 
Department  of  Promotion  of  Mexico  in  Kansas  City  disposed  of  41,100 
boxes  of  oranges,  the  gross  proceeds  of  which  were  $121,898  gold. 
During  the  fiscal  year  1897-98  the  United  States  imported  Mexican 
oranges  to  the  value  of  $134,666;  during  the  ten  months  ending  April 
30,  1899,  to  the  value  of  $137,035,  and  during  the  twelve  months  end- 
ing with  June,  1903,  the  importations  amounted  to  about  6,000,000, 
valued  at  $87,407. 

The  shipments  begin  about  September  1  and  end  on  December  15. 
It  ordinarily  takes  twelve  days,  moderately  fast  freight,  to  send  cars  • 
from  shipping  points  to  Chicago  or  Cincinnati,  although  some  cars 
have  made  the  trip  in  eight  days.  The  best  shipping  oranges  are  from 
Hermosillo,  in  the  State  of  Sonora;  Montemorelos,  in  the  State  of 
Nuevo  Leon;  Rio  Verde,  La  Barca,  and  Guadalajara,  in  the  State  of 
Jalisco.  The  next  grade  is  from  Yautepec,  in  the  State  of  Oaxaca; 
Michoacan  and  Atlixco,  in  the  State  of  Puebla. 

The  boxes  generally  used  for  shipping  are  imported  from  the  United 
States.  One  or  two  firms  in  Mexico  have  attempted  to  manufacture 
orange  boxes,  but  they  have  not  succeeded  in  turning  out  a  first-class 
quality.  The  cost  of  a  box  is  31  cents;  of  the  wrapping  paper,  15 
cents  per  box  (all  of  which  is  imported);  cost  of  packing,  36  cents 
per  box;  freight  and  consular  costs  per  box  from  Kansas  City,  St. 
Louis,  Chicago,  or  Cincinnati,  $2.04;  and  United  States  duties,  under 
the  new  tariff  act,  15  per  cent  ad  valorem. 

Below  is  given  a  table  which  is  taken  from  the  report  of  the  United 
States  consulate-general  at  Mexico,  above  referred  to,  which  shows 
the  results  that  can  be  obtained  from  a  small  tract  of  land  of  11  acres, 
10  of  which  are  planted  in  oranges. 


Description. 


Cost  in 
Mexican 
currency. 


Land  (from  825  to  $100  an  acre) . . . 
Houses,  one  of  $350,  another  of  $50 

Farming  implements 

Clearing  of  land 

Plowing  land,  10J  acres,  first  year 

Garden  and  seeds,  half  acre 

Fencing  and  outhouses 

Nursery  (3,516  seedlings) 


$1,100.00 
400. 00 
35. 00 
77.00 
21. 50 
10.00 
60.00 
12.30 


Two  hundred  Riverside  navel  trees,  80  cents  each 160.00 


Planting  Riverside  navel  orange  trees. 

Seven  hundred  cuttings,  and  planting  in  trench  . 

Transplanting  cuttings,  second  year 

Transplanting  640  seedlings 

Replacing,  10  per  cent 


4.00 
14.00 
14.00 
12.80 

1.30 


208 


MKXICO. 


Deetinatton. 


Plowing  120  acres,  six  years 

Irrigation,  seven  years 

Weeding  and  cultivating,  seven  years,  8-10 

Planting  of  com,  six  years.  ">  acres 

Planting  of  beans,  six  year-,  5 acres 

Beed  beans,  18,  and  corn,  Si,  six  years,  6  acres  each 
Harvesting  and  shelling  beans  and  corn,  si\  years . 

six  hundred  and  forty  bods 

Manuring,  six  years 


Total., 

Production: 

Six  years'  crops  of  corn.  300  cargns,  at  83 

six  veals'  crops  of  beans,  500  cargas,  at  86 

TWO  years'  crops  Of  Riverside  navels,  120,000,  at  81  per  1,000  . 
One  year's  crop  from  cuttings,  21,000,  at  8-1 

Total 

Less  expense  and  cost  of  Land 

Net  profit  at  end  of  seventh  year 


Cost  in 

Mexican 
currency. 


8120. 00 

98.00 

200.00 

15.00 

15.00 

•Juki 

60.00 
16.00 
30.00 


2,579.90 


900.00 
2,500.00 

480.00 
840.00 


4,720.00 
2, 579.  90 


2,140.10 


From  the  eighth  }Tear  on  the  plantation  will  average  from  576  to  600 
oranges  per  tree,  and  on  the  tenth  year  1,000  oranges  per  tree,  at  a 
yearly  expense  of  $200  for  the  10  acres.  Two  jpeones  (day  laborers) 
can  do  the  general  work  of  the  plantation.  These  can  be  hired  for 
from  §1.50  to  $2  per  week  each.  From  the  tenth  year  forward  a 
grower  can  have  with  all  assurance  a  net  income  of  $6,000  per  year 
out  of  such  size  plantations  if  no  plague  or  pests  attack  the  trees,  and 
in  Mexico  the  tree  is  not  generally  subject  to  any  disease  nor  is  it 
affected  by  any  pests. 

The  production  of  oranges  for  1901-2  is  given  in  the  following  table 
from  the  "Anuario  Estadistico "  for  the  period  in  reference: 


Kilos. 


Value. 


Aguascalientes 
Baja  I  ialifomla 

Campcclie 

Colima 

Chiapas 

Durango 

Guerrero 

Hidalgo 

Jalisco 

Michoacan 

Morelos 

Nuevo  Le6n  . .. 

Puebla 

Quer6taro 

San  Luis  Potosi 

Sinaloa 

Sonora 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 

Tepic 

-Zacatecas 

Total 


13,800 

|800 

62,250 

3,500 

561,050 

3,650 

496, 450 

5,350 

252, 266 

7. 168 

1,045,220 

32,400 

56,202 

1,023 

314,336 

>    3, 576 

8, 638, 971 

304,163 

1,403,683 

24,026 

1,794,290 

16,980 

740,680 

31,816 

2,015,651 

25, 262 

16,256 

472 

S50.562 

21,421 

895,  700 

37, 378 

1,785,370 

139,060 

233, 107 

8,125 

91,120 

7,303 

996, 996 

13, 448 

308,305 

7,691 

22, 572, 163 

723, 597 

Some  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  orange  growing  may  be  arrived  at 
when  it  is  known  that  the  plantation  "La  Eugenia"  at  Montemorelos, 
in  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon,  contains  50,000  orange  trees  in  bearing, 


MEDICINAL    PLANTS.  209 

and  200,000  have  been  planted  which  will  yield  fruit  in  a  few  years. 
It  is  estimated  that  each  tree  on  that  plantation  will  yield  two  cases 
of  oranges  per  annum,  which  will  sell  for  $15  gold.  In  addition  to 
oranges,  fine  lemons,  grape  fruit,  and  tangerines  realize  high  prices  in 
the  New  York  market. 

The  lime,  lemon,  and  sweet  lemon  are  also  much  cultivated  on  the 
same  lands  that  produce  the  orange,  and  they  have  become  a  large 
element  in  the  country's  exportations. 

Pineapples. — The  pineapple  is  also  cultivated  to  a  very  great  extent. 
It  is  easily  raised  and  needs  hardly  any  care  after  planting.  It  has 
been  said  that  the  cost  per  plant  from  the  seed  until  ready  for  market 
is  not  over  5  cents.  It  has  been  estimated  that  2£  acres  planted  in 
pineapples  will  easily  produce  10,000  plants.  The  crop  of  corn  which 
is  sown  among  the  pineapples  will  fully  meet  the  expense  of  the  culti- 
vation of  the  fruit;  thus  the  10,000  pineapples,  when  planted  in  this 
way,  will  cost  absolutely  nothing.  On  the  ground  the  fruit  sells  for 
about  38  cents  per  dozen,  but  exported  to  the  United  States  they 
bring  a  good  price,  netting  about  $1,500  per  acre  under  cultivation, 
and  one  man  can  easily  cultivate  6  acres.  With  an  outlay  of  about 
$1,200  gold  a  person  can  at  the  end  of  three  years  .have  from  15,000 
to  20,000  bearing  pineapple  plants. 

The  total  production  in  1901-2  is  officially  reported  at  2,016,119 
kilos,  estimated  at  $16,376,  Tepic  ranking  first,  Jalisco  second,  Hidalgo 
and  Puebla  coming  next.  Ten  of  the  States  are  not  listed  in  the 
statistics  at  hand. 

The  list  of  tropical  fruits  which  Mexico  produces  is  too  extensive 
to  be  incorporated  here.  Latest  Mexican  official  statistics  give  the 
annual  product  of  79  different  varieties  of  fruits. 

Consul-General  Barlow  in  his  report  before  mentioned  gives  the 
names  of  American  firms  engaged  in  the  fruit  industry  in  Mexico, 
there  being  1  in  Chiapas,  1  in  Nuevo  Leon,  1  in  Tamaulipas,  11  in 
Oaxaca,  and  13  in  Veracruz. 

Medicinal  plants. — In  an  official  list  of  the  flora  of  the  hot  lands  of 
Mexico,  prepared  by  the  Government  in  1893, a  there  are  enumerated 
233  distinct  species  of  medicinal  plants,  as  well  as  11  dyewoods. 
Among  the  former  may  be  mentioned  the  jalap  root  (Ipomsea)  and 
sarsaparilla  {Smilax  sarsaparilla  and  Sniilax  arenisca),  which  grow 
wild,  both  of  which  occupied  a  very  prominent  place  in  the  trade 
figures  of  the  country  some  years  ago,  but  which  have  recently 
assumed  a  secondary  position.  The  total  production  of  these  plants 
in  1901-2,  according  to  Mexican  official  figures,  was  as  follows:  Jalap 
root,  6,810  kilos,  at  $817,  produced  by  the  State  of  Hidalgo,  the  only 
State  given,  and  sarsaparilla,  690,688  kilos,  at  $22,873,  Oaxaca  being 
credited  with  the  largest  production,  nearly  607,000  kilos. 

«Los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos:  Mexico,  1893. 
509a— 04 14 


210  MEXICO. 

])>/,  woods. — Among  the  dye-producing  plants  are  the  Brazil  (( 'sesal- 
pmia  crista)  and  ( Sampeche  |  Heamatoxylon  chianum)  woods,  dragons' 
blood  (Pterocarpus  draco), "  Grana"  {Rvbia  tinctorea),  "Zacatlaxcaia" 

scuta  americana),  "moral" I  Madura  tinctorea), and  indigo (Jndigo- 
ferar-  two  varieties),  some  of  which  are  exported  in  considerable  quan- 
tities. It  has  been  estimated  that  the  value  of  dyewoods  exported  by 
Mexico  is  fasl  approaching  the  sum  of  $250,000  per  month.  Official 
figures  for  the  year  L901  2  give  the  following  estimates  of  the  produc- 
tion of  these  plants  during  the  year:  Indigo,  81,892  kilo>.  valued  at 
$168,239;  Brazilwood.  3,010.742  kilo-,  at  Sl's.WT;  Campeche  or  log- 
wood, 15,092,250 kilos,  ai  1515,275,  and  "moral"wood,  901,550  kilos, 
at  S;>K.14-7.  Chiapas  is  the  largest  indigo-producing  State  and  Michoa- 
can  the  second.  Sinaloa  and  Michoacan  produce  the  largest  quantity 
of  Brazil  wood;  Campeche,  Yucatan,  and  Tabasco,  logwood,  and  Ban 
Luis  Potosl,  Tabasco,  and  Sinaloa.  moral  wood.  Exports  of  dyewoods 
during  1902  are  quoted  at  32,751,754  kilos,  estimated  at  £993.107,  the 
principal  consumers  being  England,  22,254,000  kilos;  Russia,  3,400,000 
kilos;  Germany.  2,000,000  kilos;  British  Honduras,  1,731,000  kilos; 
France.  L,540,000  kilos,  and  the  United  States,  1,371.: kilos. 

Fodder  plants-  abound,  the  principal  being  the  para  (Chrysqpagon 
a r,  naci  us),  guinea  grass,  alfalfa  or  lucern,  ramdn  (  Trophis  arm  ricana), 
and  the  ojitt  (JSrosinum  alicastrum).  There  are  445  classified  species 
of  graminaceous  plants.  A  profitable  crop  for  the  irrigated  lands  of 
the  plateau  country  is  lucern.  Green  alfalfa  retails  in  the  streets  of 
Mexico  City  at  L5  cents  for  25  pounds.  From  five  to  nine  crops  can 
l>e  raised  yearly,  and  under  good  conditions  the  yield  will  he  L0  tons 
per  crop  to  the  acre. 

Woods.-  There  are  immense  quantities  of  building  lumber  and  cabi- 
net woods,  many  species  of  which  are  yet  unknown  in  foreign  market-, 
although  they  are  classed  among  the  most  precious. 

An  official  list  of  the  woods  in  Mexico  in  1897"  gives  200  varieties. 
Among  the  woods  used  a-  constructive  material  the  principal  are  the 
"Algarrobo"  (Szmenea  courbaril),  u Almendrillo "  {Pomus  occiden- 
tales),  "Ceiba"  (Eriodendon  anfractuosum),  "Granadillo"  (Byra 
ebanns),  "Guanacastle"  (Lignum-vitae),  "Guayacan"  [Gvayocum  ver- 
ticals), ironwood  (j&obmia  sp.),  "Mezquitilld"  (Cassia  occidentalis), 
"Ocote,"  yellow  and  white  [Prims  harborwegii  and  /'.  ayacahuite), 
white  oak  (Querous jalapensis),  and  several  other-. 

(  ahim  f  woods.— ^  The  following  are  among  the  principal  cabinet  woods 
in  the  country:  Mahogany  (Suetenia  mahogani),  "Caobilla"  (Oroion 
hicidum),  cedar  (  CedreUa  odorata),  three  varieties,  one  white  and  two 
red;  ebony  (Dyospiros  ebenum),  three  varieties,  one  of  them  called 
green  ebony  (Cfhloroxylon)\  "Gateado"  (Suetenia  sj?.),  and  rosewood 
i  Ti  "iiki  mvltiflora). 

"Anuario  Estadlstico  de  la  Republics  Mexicana,  1897:  Mexico,  1898. 


TANNING   PLANTS.  211 

The  yearly  production  of  mahogany  amounts  on  an  average  to  about 
$1,200,000  Mexican  silver,  Chiapas,  Tabasco,  Veracruz,  and  Cam- 
peche  supplying  the  greatest  quantity  of  this  valuable  wood.  One- 
half  of  the  mahogany  consumed  in  the  United  States  comes  from 
Mexico.  Cedar  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  but  the  States  of 
Chihuahua,  Tabasco,  and  Veracruz  contain  the  largest  and  most 
desirable  forests  of  this  wood,  cutting  annually  cedar  logs  to  the  value 
of  more  than  $1,000,000.  With  the  exception  of  the  State  of  Nuevo 
Leon,  which  cuts  yearl}7  more  than  30,000,000  kilos  of  ebony,  this 
wood  is  almost  unknown  commercially  in  the  Republic;  some,  however, 
is  produced  in  Tamaulipas,  Guerrero,  Hidalgo,  and  Yucatan.  Puebla 
produces  a  greater  quantity  of  aloe  wood  than  any  of  the  other  Mex- 
ican States;  Coahuila  the  most  oak;  Nuevo  Leon  the  greatest  quantity 
of  walnut;  the  Territoiy  of  Lower  California,  ironwood,  while  the 
State  of  Jalisco  is  celebrated  for  its  orange  wood. 

The  exports  of  precious  woods  (mahogan}7,  ebony,  etc.)  for  the  year 
1902  is  officially  estimated  at  $1,362,731,  the  United  States  taking 
about  $1,050,000. 

Ta/rming plants. — Among  the  flora  of  this  favored  countiy  are  man}7 
trees,  shrubs,  etc.,  yielding  tannic  acid,  among  which  ma}7  be  men- 
tioned the  cascalote  (Rhus  carlaria),  thnbe  (Mimosa  sp.),  mangrove 
(Rh'izophora  mangle),  white  mangrove  (Avicennla  tomentosa),  and  the 
canalgre.  The  first  named  produces  a  very  excellent  tanning  material 
from  its,  bark.  The  value  of  the  exportations  of  this  material  for  the 
fiscal  year  1897-98  was  $49,021. 

The  canalgre  is  a  tuber,  and  resembles  the  sugar  beet  in  shape,  while 
the  leaf  is  similar  to  that  of  the  rhubarb  or  pieplant.  It  is  indigenous 
to  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  Coahuila,  and  Lower  California.  Of  recent 
years  it  has  been  cultivated  to  a  considerable  extent  in  New  Mexico 
and  Texas;  but  not  much  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  industry  in 
Mexico,  although  it  produces  from  25  to  30  per  cent  of  tannic  acid. 
The  root  can  be  used  not  only  for  common  tanning  purposes,  but  also 
for  fine  saddlery  and  fane}7  leathers.  It  can  be  used  alone  or  in  con- 
nection with  other  materials.  It  is  noted  for  its  quickness  and  thor- 
oughness in  tanning,  as  well  as  for  the  color,  beauty,  consistency,  and 
pliability  imparted  to  the  leather. 

Canalgre  is  a  dry-climate  plant,  but  its  growth  is  assisted  materially 
by  irrigation.  Until  quite  recently  the  root  had  to  be  gathered  by 
digging  the  wild  plant,  but  experience  has  demonstrated  that  it  can  be 
successfully  cultivated,  and  there  is  no  question  that  it  improves  in 
size,  quality,  yield,  and  in  percentage  of  tannic  acid.  The  annual  }Tield 
per  acre  is  about  the  same  as  that  of  beets  (60  to  80  tons).  In  New 
Mexico  the  cost  of  cultivation  per  acre  is  about  $23.50,  including  irri- 
gation and  water  rental;  but  in  Mexico,  especially  in  the  central  and 
southern  sections  of  the  country,  the  rains  will  furnish  all  the  necessary 


212  MEXICO. 

moisture,  thereby  reducing  very  materially  the  expense.  This  plant 
has  only  attracted  public  attention  as  a  commercial  product  within  the 
past  five  years,  and  it  would  seem  that  those  employed  in  agricultural 
pursuits  in  the  neighboring  Republic  would  do  well  to  add  one  more 
item  to  their  production-,  for  it  is  evident  that  the  market  for canaigrt 
i>  practically  unlimited,  since  the  oak  and  hemlock  barks,  bo  exten 
sivelv  used  in  the  tannic  industry  of  the  United  States,  are  becoming 
very  scarce,  and  the  price  of  tannin  is  constantly  on  the  increase. 

According  to  Mexican  official  statistics  for  L90]  2,  the  production  of 
tanning  plants  amounted  to  L6,540,075  kilos,  valued  at  $471,455  silver, 
the  production  of  "Cascalote"  being  represented  by  2,966,156  kilos 
for  $132,813. 

olIIK.i:     I 'LA  NTS. 

} '<"•,-,/,  also  called  ma/nioca  in  South  America — two  varieties,  the 
sweet  {Jatropha  manioc)  and  the  bitter  {Manihot  utiliss.)  is  a  shrub 
about  4  feet  in  height,  with  from  6  to  10  tubers  to  each  plant,  weighing 
from  1  to  12  pounds  each.  It  is  an  important  product  of  the  State  of 
( 'hiapas.  It  commences  to  yield,  in  good  soil,  one  year  after  planting. 
The  tuber-,  besides  yielding  starch,  furnish  food  to  man  and  cattle. 
Two  and  a  half  acres  of  land  will  yield  6,000  pounds  of  tubers,  which 
will  produce  3,000  pounds  of  starch. 

Sugar  licet. — The  States  of  Chihuahua,  Coahuila,  Durango,  Zacatecas, 
San  LuisPotosi,  and  some  others  of  the  northern-central  part  of  Mexico 
include  many  districts  which  are  eminently  lilted  to  produce  the  sugar 
beet.     This  industry  has  not  as  yet  taken  any  firm  root  in  the  country. 

Ginger  {Zemiber  officinalis)  grows  wild  in  various  parts  of  Mexico. 
and  if  properly  cultivated  ought  to  yield  4,000  pounds  per  acre,  accord- 
ing to  Romero. 

The  Mexican  linaloi  (Amyris Hnalot )  is  a  large  tree,  the  wood  being 
soft  and  of  a  very  light-yellow  color.  The  bark  exudes  a  resin  called 
" xochiopal."  The  wood  has  a  very  pleasant  odor,  which  is  compared 
to  that  of  a  mixture  of  essence  of  lemon  and  essence  of  jasmine,  and 
upon  distillation  yields  from  6  to  9  percent  of  a  very  light-yellow 
essence.  The  tree  abounds  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  State-  of 
Puebla  and  Guerrero,  and  it  is  reported  to  grow  also  in  the  tropical 
portion  of  the  Pacific  slope  of  Mexico  at  the  same  altitude  as  in  its 
habitat  in  Puebla  and  Guerrero.  A  good  deal  of  the  essence  is  sent  to 
the  city  of  Puebla.  which  is  one  of  the  chief  markets  in  Mexico  for  the 
product.  It  is  worth  *7.~.  silver  ($28.78  gold)  perarroba  (4.263  gallons). 
The  process  of  distillation  is  careful,  but  very  primitive  and  inexpen- 
sive. Sticks  of  the  linaloe  about  the  length  and  thickness  of  medium- 
sized  cord  wood,  are  supplied  to  the  laborer-,  each  of  w  horn  has  a  little 
inclosure  contiguous  to  the  still.  These  laborers  reduced  the  sticks  to 
small,  thin  chips,  and  these  chips,  without  further  process,  are  placed 


NATIVE    METHODS.  213 

in  the  still.  The  linaloe  essence  is  the  article  exported.  The  major 
part  goes  to  Hamburg-  and  some  to  Havre,  and  now  and  then  a  ship- 
ment goes  to  New  York.  It  is  largel}7  in  demand  as  the  base  of 
exquisite  perfumes. 

Native  methods. — The  modes  of  cultivation  in  Mexico  in  man}^  places 
still  differ  but  little  from  those  employed  by  the  ancient  Egyptians. 
This,  of  course,  does  not  refer  to  large  plantations,  where  in  the  last 
few  years  the  proprietors  have  introduced  modern  methods  and  agri- 
cultural machinery.  But  among  the  small  landholders  and  the  Indians 
wooden-beam  plows,  with  a  small  iron  shoe,  are  still  used.  These  make 
a  furrow  5  inches  wide  by  5  deep.  A  hoe  is  also  used,  which  often 
weighs  from  3  to  5  pounds.  A  saw-tooth  sickle  completes  the  outfit 
with  which  the  ordinary  Mexican  crops  are  raised  and  gathered.  The 
plow  is  nothing  more  than  a  forked  stick,  the  shorter  fork  being  iron 
shod  and  sharpened;  the  longer  is  lashed  with  rawhide  thongs  to 
the  yoke  of  oxen  that  draws  this  prehistoric  implement.  It  takes 
about  four  men  and  four*  yoke  of  oxen  to  do  the  work  of  one  man  and 
one  horse. 

Up  to  within  a  very  short  period  (and  it  is  the  case  at  present, 
except  on  the  largest  plantations)  all  thrashing  of  grain  was  done  by 
driving  horses  or  mules  around  in  a  ring  upon  the  straw  which  is  on 
the  ground.  The  winnowing  is  done  by  men  tossing  the  grain  and 
chaff  in  the  air  with  scoop  shovels.  Mexicans,  as  a  rule,  object  to 
thrashing  machines  because  they  leave  the  straw  whole,  while  hx 
employing  their  method  the  constant  trampling  cuts  it  up  as  fine  as 
though  run  through  a  feed  cutter,  and  as  straw  is  universally  used  as 
feed  any  further  preparation  is  unnecessary. 

The  grain  is  transported  from  the  field  to  the  farmhouse  or  station 
on  ponderous  two- wheeled  carts,  there  being  3  pounds  of  cart  to  1  of 
load  for  the  oxen  to  pull.  Better  facilities  for  communication  between 
the  United  States  and  the  neighboring  Republic  have  changed  some  of 
these  methods,  as  before  stated;  but  there  is  still  one  drawback  to  the 
general  use  of  improved  American  agricultural  machinery  in  the  coun- 
try, which,  however,  is  gradually  disappearing  by  the  establishment 
of  machine-repairing  shops.  The  machinery,  as  a  rule,  is  costly  and 
unfamiliar,  and  should  any  part  of  it  break,  rare  is  the  Mexican  black- 
smith who  can  repair  it,  as  usually  the  broken  part  is  of  cast  iron,  and 
the  distance  from  the  manufactory  causes  long  delay  and  heavy  expense. 

Official  statistics  give  the  number  of  haciendas,  or  plantations,  in 
the  Republic  in  1897  at  8,101,  devoted  to  the  cultivations  following- 
Cereals,  3,400;  sugar  cane,  1,395;  henequen, 395;  coffee,  373;  maguey 
(pulque),  279;  cacao,  239;  cotton,  135;  maguey  (mescal),  131;  tobacco, 
92;  cabinet  woods,  09;  indigo,  29;  fruits,  6;  grapes,  5;  and  1,560 
devoted  to  cattle  raising. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

STOCK  RAISING. 

The  raising  of  cattle  has  always  been  one  of  the  most  important 
industries  of  Mexico,  and  one  of  the  least  restricted  by  the  Spaniards 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  who.  by  means  of  special  legislation,  gave 
encouragement  to  it  to  the  extent  of  making  it  the  favorite  occupation 
of  the.  inhabitants  of  the  country.  In  earlier  times  cattle  were  of 
little  value  except  for  their  hides,  which  formed  an  important  item  of 
export;  later,  however,  they  were  turned  to  better  advantage,  the  hides 
being  manufactured  into  leather  and  the  tallow  used  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  soap.  During  the  eighteenth  century  sheep  raising  also  became 
an  Important  industry  in  the  northern  and  central  provinces. 

The  State-,  of  the  northern  frontier  are  so  well  adapted  to  such  pur- 
poses that  they  may  be  said  to  be  immense  cattle  ranges.     The  excel 
lent   situation  of  the  lands,  as  well  as  their  generally  well-watered 
condition,  will,  as  has  been  said  by  persons  who  have  given  study  to 
the  matter,  make  Mexico  a  formidable  rival  of  the  Argentine  Republic. 

Although  the  population  of  the  United  States  has  increased  surpris- 
ingly within  the  past  few  years,  there  has  been  a  large  falling. off  in 
the  number  of  cattle.  Statistics  show  that  there  has  been  a  diminu- 
tion of  8,000,000  head  of  cattle  within  that  period,  so  that  it  can  be 
readily  -ecu  that  cattle  raising  for  the  market  in  the  neighboring 
Republic  presents  alluring  prospects.  Considerable  interest  has  been 
manifested  of  late  in  this  industry,  and  the  Mexican  railroad  officials 
have  been  endeavoring  to  build  it  up.  with  marked  success. 

Mexican  cattle  as  a  rule  are  small  in  .size,  ranging  between  900  and 
1,200  pounds  in  weight.  This  latter  weight  is  considered  in  the  Eng- 
lish market  as  small,  and  the  suggestion  has  been  made  by  British 
traders  that  it  would  be  wise  for  the  Mexican  cattle  raisers  to  import 
English  Shorthorn  hulls  for  the  purpose  of  breeding  larger  cattle. 
The  I  department  of  Promotion  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  this  subject, 
and  many  reforms  have  been  introduced  to  the  betterment  of  the  stock. 
Cotton-seed  meal  i>  one  of  the  prominent  products  of  Mexico,  and, 
although  it  is  one  of  the  foods  to  be  relied  on  chiefly  for  fattening 
cattle,  nearly  the  entire  output  of  this  article  is  sent  every  year  to  the 
United  States  and  Europe. 
214 


CATTLE.  215 

It  has  been  estimated  that  the  total  cost  of  fattening  a  steer  is  about 
$15  silver,  and  as  there  is  an  unlimited  demand  in  Europe  for  choice 
meats  at  about  12  cents  gold  per  pound,  and  no  import  duties  to  be 
paid,  it  can  readily  be  seen  that  there  are  large  benefits  to  be  derived 
from  the  industry  of  cattle  raising. 

The  States  of  Durango,  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  Nuevo  Leon,  Coahuila, 
Tamaulipas,  Veracruz,  and  Michoacan  present  admirable  fields  for  the 
development  of  this  great  industry.  The  rich  pasture  lands  of  the 
latter  State  feed  the  thousands  of  cattle  for  the  sustenance  of  the  resi- 
dents of  the  capital  of  the  Mexican  Republic. 

Some  of  the  States  are  not  well  provided  with  water,  but  it  has  been 
demonstrated  that  with  small  expense  all  the  necessary  water  can  be 
obtained  by  the  boring  of  wells.  In  the  State  of  Guanajuato  a  com- 
pany, under  the  patronage  of  the  State  government,  some  years  since 
bored  wells  and  began  the  breeding  and  fattening  of  cattle  on  a  large 
scale.  The  country  around  Tampico  is  wonderfully  rich,  the  grass 
growing  waist  high  there  all  the  year  round.  It  is  deserving  of  inves- 
tigation by  those  contemplating  going  into  the  business  of  cattle  raising. 

In  the  northern  and  eastern  part  of  the  Republic,  lean  stock  can  be 
bought  at  from  $5  to  $15  per  head,  and  sold  when  fattened  at  from  $20 
to  $15  per  head.  San  Luis  Potosi,  southern  Tamaulipas,  and  northern 
Veracruz  are  well  adapted  to  cattle  raising.  The  yard  grass  grows 
here  in  abundance.  It  is  evergreen,  very  nourishing,  and  is  a  weed 
exterminator.  It  has  been  estimated  that  an  investment  of  $30,000 
gold  in  this  industry  will  3rield  a  net  profit  of  $20,000  in  six  months. 

Mexico  raises  great  numbers  of  cattle  for  the  United  States,  and 
does  so  under  better  conditions  of  climate  than  the  latter  country,  for 
the  stock  raisers  of  this  country  lose  thousands  every  year,  owing  to 
the  rigorous  winters  and  severe  summers. 

According  to  statistics  compiled  by  the  United  States  Bureau  of 
Animal  Industry,  63,560  cattle  were  exported  from  Mexico  to  the 
United  States  in  1902,  against  99,975  in  the  previous  year.  Of  the 
8,868  cattle  exported  from  Mexico  to  the  United  States  during  Decem- 
ber, 1902,  7,627  were  shipped  to  California  for  grazing.  Mexican 
cattle  are  received  into  the  United  States  at  the  ports  of  entry  at 
Eagle  Pass,  Nogales,  El  Paso,  and  San  Diego. 

The  exportation  of  raw  hides  is  a  growing  trade  in  Mexico,  of  which 
the  United  States  is  the  greatest  consumer.  During  the  fiscal  year  of 
1901-2  the  value  of  the  hides  exported  to  the  United  States  amounted 
to  $3,489,647,  as  compared  with  $2,668,369  exported  to  that  country 
in  the  fiscal  year  1900-1901.  During  the  first  four  months  of  1902-3 
the  declared  value  of  the  hides  exported  was  $1,863,707.10,  more  than 
one-half  of  which  was  consigned  to  the  United  States. 

Cuba  is  becoming  a  very  important  market  for  Mexican  live  stock, 


216  MEXICO. 

the  following-  being-  the  approximate  price  (Spanish  gold)  paid  for 

Mexican  cattle  at  Habana: 

Per  bead, 

Bulls  4  to  6  years  old $30  to  $32 

Bulls  2  years  old 20  to  22 

Heifers  2  years  old 19  to  21 

Sterile  cows  under  10  years  old 25  to  26 

Breeding  cows 28  to  30 

Mares,  fat,  unbroken 25  to  28 

Horses,  unbroken 35  to  40 

Mules,  unbroken,  4  to  6  years 40  to  50 

The  number  of  cattle  exported  from  Mexico  during  the  live  fiscal 

years  ending-  June  30,  1902,  is  estimated  as  follows: 

1897-98 - 227,000 

1898-99 100,000 

1899-1900 184,000 

1900-1 197,000 

1901-2 161,000 

Importation  of  many  pure-bred  cattle  from  the  United  States  into 
Mexico  is  resulting  in  marked  improvement  in  the  long  horn  native 
type.  It  is  the  prevailing  opinion  that  a  cross  between  the  pure- 
blooded  cattle  of  the  North  and  the  native  stock  produces  a  large, 
healthy,  vigorous  offspring,  with  an  unusually  compact  muscular 
development. 

A  Mexican  writer  on  stock  raising  is  authority  for  the  following 
data  in  regard  to  the  facilities  offered  by  Mexico  for  stock  breeding:0 

"In  the  foothills  of  both  coasts,  where  pasturage  is  more  luxuriant, 
and  consequently  can  support  many  more  head  per  acre  than  in  the 
northern  districts,  ranges  can  be  purchased  at  a  much  lower  figure  per 
head  of  cattle  than  in  the  North.  That  is  to  say.  sio.ooo  judiciously 
invested  in  the  pasture  lands  in  the  foothills  of  Tepic,  Jalisco,  M'whoa- 
can,  Guerrero,  Veracruz,  Hidalgo,  San  Luis  Potosi,  or  Tamaulipas 
will  maintain  more  cattle  than  the  same  amount  invested  in  pasture 
lands  in  Chihuahua,  Durango,  Coahuila,  northern  Zacatecas,  or  Sonora, 
although  the  number  of  acres  will  be  less. 

"On  the  Gulf  slope  of  the  eastern  Cordilleras,  in  the  State  of  San 
Luis  Potosi,  eastern  Tamaulipas  and  northern  Veracruz,  is  a  region 
known  as  the  Huasteca  Potosina,  lying  tributary  to  the  Tamesi  and 
Panuco  rivers  and  to  theTempoal  and  Tamasunehale,  tributaries  to  the 
latter.  The  Huasteca  begins  where  the  plains  which  border  on  the 
coast  end,  a  succession  of  valleys  separated  by  verdure-covered  ter- 
races or  hills  increasing  in  height  as  they  recede  to  the  westward, 
rising  within  a  distance  of  100  miles  from  sea  level  to  that  of  the  cen- 
tral plateau,  6,000  feet  above.  This  slope,  with  its  valleys,  receives 
the  moisture  of  the  breezes  from  the  Gulf  in  the  form  of  rain  during 
the  summer  months  and  dew  during  those  of  fall  and  winter,  render- 
ing them  practically  free  from  frost,  drought,  and  excessive  heat. 

«Bernabe  Collado,  in  "Modern  Mexico,"  November,  1903,  and  February,  1904. 


PASTUEE    LANDS.  217 

"The  natural  pasturage  lands  of  the  Huasteca  foothills  are  as  fine 
as  any  in  the  world.  The  rains  of  summer  and  the  heavy  dews  of 
autumn  and  winter,  even  in  the  driest  months  (April  and  May),  are 
sufficient  to  prevent  any  notable  deterioration  in  the  quality  of  pastures. 

"The  South  American  and  African  grasses,  para  and  guineo,  develop 
and  nourish  wonderfully  in  these  foothills  and  are  extensively  planted. 

"The  upland  pastures  of  the  central  table-lands  adapted  to  the  breed- 
ing of  stock  are  not  sufficiently  fertile  to  fatten  more  than  a  fraction 
of  the  cattle  that  can  be  raised  on  them.  The  large  interior  markets 
of  Puebla  and  the  City  of  Mexico,  as  well  as  Yucatan,  which  are  the 
greatest  purchasers  of  cattle  raised  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico,  and 
the  great  mining  camps  of  the  Republic,  have  maintained  the  price  of 
beef  cattle  at  figures  which  have  made  the  industry  immensely  profit- 
able. The  exportation  through  the  port  of  Tampico  by  sea  is,  accord- 
ing to  the  latest  figures  available,  75,000  annually.  This,  however, 
does  not  take  into  consideration  the  large  numbers  shipped  north  into 
Texas  for  fattening  and  southwest  by  rail  to  the  interior  markets  of 
the  Republic. 

"The  ranges  of  the  Pacific  slope,  through  the  territory  of  Tepic, 
Jalisco,  Michoacan,  Guerrero,  and  southern  Oaxaca,  are  quite  differ- 
ent in  character  from  those  of  the  Gulf  coast,  the  dry  season  on  the 
Pacific  slope  being  more  rigorous  than  on  the  east.  The  aggregate 
amount  of  rainfall  is  but  little  less,  but  it  is  not  so  evenly  distributed, 
so  that  greater  provisions  have  to  be  made  for  water  holes,  tanks,  etc. 
There  is  never  a  scarcity  of  pasture;  but  unless  pains  are  taken  to 
provide  unfailing  suppl}-  of  water,  well  distributed  over  the  range,  it 
will  sometimes  happen  that  the  pasture  in  the  vicinity  of  the  water 
holes  will  be  all  eaten  up,  as  the  more  broken  character  of  the  country 
in  the  western  slope  makes  it  difficult  for  cattle  to  go  great  distances 
for  water.  Although  the  western  ranges  are  quite  as  accessible  to 
the  home  markets  as  those  of  the  Gulf  coast,  they  are  much  farther 
awaj-  from  foreign  markets,  as  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United 
States  there  is  a  comparativel}7  small  demand  for  beef,  and  for  ship- 
ment to  Texas,  on  account  of  the  distance,  purchasers  prefer  to  buy 
on  ranches  nearer  the  border. 

"For  these  reasons  pasture  lands  are  held  at  lower  figures  through 
the  Pacific  slope  of  Michoacan,  Guerrero,  and  southern  Oaxaca  than 
they  are  in  the  Huasteca,  making  it  possible  with  an  equal  investment 
of  capital  to  pasture  a  larger  number  of  cattle. 

"At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1903  there  existed  in  the  Republic, 
according  to  the  returns  made  by  the  assessors,  3,424,430  sheep,  with 
a  valuation  of  $6,037,306.  The  possibilities  are,  however,  that  this 
return  does  not  represent  more  than  65  or  70  per  cent  of  the  sheep 
actually  existing  in  the  Republic,  the  valuation  also  being  very  low. 
Sheep  on  the  range  are  worth  from  $2.75  to  $4  per  head,  according  to 
their  quality. 


218  MEXICO. 

••The  principal  sheep-raising  States  of  the  Republic  are  Zacatecas, 
with  827,000  head;  San  Luis  Potosi,  with  something  over  400,000  head: 
and  the  following  States  raising  over  100,000  head:  Coahuila,  Chi- 
huahua. Durango,  Guanajuato,  Hidalgo,  Mexico,  Michoacan,  Nuevo 
Leon,  Puebla,  Tatnaulipas. 

"With  the  exception  of  Tamaulipas,  which  is  in  the  extreme  north- 
eastern part  of  the  Republic,  all  of  the  sheep-raising  States  are  partly 
or  entirely  Located  in  the  great  central  table-land. 

"Experience  has  demonstrated  that  although  cattle  apparently  do 
better  and  are  more  profitable  in  the  rank  pasture  lands  of  the  coast 
ranges,  thai  to  be  successful  with  sheep  it  is  necessary  to  confine  one's 
operations  to  the  arid  plains  of  the  high  lands. 

"Experiments  have  been  made  with  sheep  raising  in  the  para*  grass 
regions  of  the  foothills,  and  although  in  many  instances  for  the  first 
two  or  three  years  the  herds  are  healthy  and  multiply  rapidly,  before 
long  some  of  the  epidemics  due  to  overfeeding  and  damp  soil  break  out. 

"On  the  table-lands,  however,  sheep  are  apparently  exempt  from 
epidemics,  and  the  loss  from  predatory  animals  is  comparatively 
insignificant. 

••  When  sheep  are  ranged  over  rented  pasture,  from  8  to  15  cents 
annually  is  paid  per  head,  according  to  the  abundance  of  pasturage. 

"It  has  been  found  by  experience  that  in  order  to  produce  a  fair 
quality  of  wool  it  is  necessary  to  constantly  improve  stock  by  the 
introduction  of  graded  or  pure  blood  rams  from  Europe  or  the  United 
States.  Unimproved  native  stock  which  has  been  on  the  range  for  a 
series  of  years  will  not  average  much  over  the  pound  of  wool  per  head 
annually,  but  graded  stock  will  give  from  2  to  8  pounds  a  head  per 
year,  according  to  age,  class  of  pasture,  and  the  qualit}'  of  the  sires. 

"It  has  also  been  found  that  the  sheep  degenerate  very  fast:  in 
other  words,  that  a  flock  of  sheep  that  has  been  graded  up  so  that  it 
will  produce  8  pounds  per  head  per  annum  the  first  year  will  gradually 
decrease  in  production  every  yea,v  until  it  is  a  little  above  that  of  the 
unimproved  native  stock. 

"Some  of  the  most  intelligent  sheep  breeders  make  a  practice  of 
importing  ever}-  year  a  certain  number  of  Merino  rams,  which  are 
most  generally  used  for  improving  the  range  sheep,  with  the  idea  of 
keeping  their  flock  up  to  a  certain  standard. 

"The  breeding  ewes  average  from  one  and  one-quarter  to  one  and 
one-half  lambs  per  annum.  Shepherds  who  take  care  of  the  sheep  on 
the  range  receive  from  $6  to  $10  a  month,  and  a  small  ration  worth  $4 
in  excess  of  their  monthly  wages.  The  price  of  sheep  purchased  for 
butchering,  on  the  range,  varies  between  $3.75  and  $4.50.  In  Mexico 
they  are  worth  between  $4.50  and  $5.50  per  head. 

"The  Mexican  wool  is  coarser  than  the  better  grades  of  United 
States  merino  wool." 

Hog  raising  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  profitable  industries  in 


STATISTICS. 


219 


which  the  Mexican  agriculturist  can  engage.  The  native  hog  is  hard  to 
fatten,  but  by  the  importation  of  improved  stock  this  drawback  may  be 
promptly  overcome.  Of  recent  vears  breeders  have  been  doing  this, 
and  a  marked  advance  has  been  made  in  the  industry. 

The  Federal  District  possesses  tine  pasture  grounds,  and  the  cattle 
industry  is  there  carried  on  extensively,  a  large  local  trade  in  dairy 
products  being  one  of  the  features  of  that  section. 

The  Mexican  Government  has  given  a  concession  for  the  privilege  of 
establishing  a  permanent  exposition  and  market  for  the  sale  of  cattle 
to  be  located  within  the  limits  of  the  Federal  District.  The  conces- 
sionaire is  to  invest  $300,000,  or  $135,000  gold.  Accommodations  are 
to  be  provided  for  5,000  head  of  beef  cattle,  10,000  hogs,  5,000  sheep 
and  goats  and  1,000  head  of  horses,  mules,  etc.  The  construction  is  to 
be  completed  in  five  years,  and  the  concession  is  to  last  for  fifty  years. 

The  Department  of  Promotion  in  Mexico  has  compiled  statistics 
relative  to  cattle  in  the  year  1902  containing  many  details,  Xuch  as  the 
geographical  situation  of  each  zone,  elevation  above  the  sea,  number 
and  value  of  cattle,  distribution  in  States,  etc.  The  statistics  embrace 
not  only  bovine  stock,  but  also  horses,  mules,  asses,  sheep,  goats,  and 
hogs,  and  show  the  estimated  number^ind  value  of  each  class  in  the 
Republic  at  the  beginning  of  1903,  as  follows: 


Class. 

Number. 

Value. 

Cattle                        

5,304,165 
872, 544 
340, 016 
298, 416 
3, 458, 124 
4,240,886 
641,074 

884,251,275 

10, 997,  667 

10, 742, 478 

2,470,547 

6, 096, 088 

7, 303, 289 

2, 194, 457 

Total . . . 

15, 115, 225 

124,055,801 

The  States  which,  according  to  these  statistics,  are  at  the  present 
time  the  greatest  cattle  producers  are  Jalisco,  Chihuahua,  Guanajuato, 
Michoacan,  Veracruz,  Durango,  Zacatecas,  and  Yucatan,  as  may  be 
noted  in  the  following  table,  which  shows  the  value  of  the  cattle  pro- 
duced in  each  State  of  the  Republic: 


Aguascalientes. 
Baja  California 

Camp6che 

Coahuila 

Colima 

Chiapas 

Chihuahua 

Distrito  Federa 

Durango 

Guanajuato 

Guerrero 

Hidalgo 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

Michoacan 

Morelos 


Value. 


«2, 302, 490 
1,042,121 
1,225,334 
4,124,472 
987, 048 
3, 310, 807 
9, 215, 465 
1,137,297 
7, 573, 741 
8, 840, 537 
2, 853, 608 
1,136,536 

13,333,922 
3, 583, 365 
8, 548, 954 
1,526,045 


Nuevo  Le6n 

Oaxaca 

Puebla 

Quert'taro 

San  Luis  Potosi. 

Sinaloa 

Sonora 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 

Tepic 

Tlascala  

Veracruz 

Yucatan 

Zacatecas 


Total 124,055,801 


Value. 


S3, 393, 625 
1,786,439 
4,309,904 
1,705,097 
4,786,411 
1,330,078 
4,212,861 
2,838,422 
3,981,152 
2,356,696 
974,471 
8, 239, 375 
6,075,239 
6,324,289 


220 


MEXICO. 


Consul-Genera]  Barlow,  in  his  report  before  mentioned,  gives  the 
names  of  60  American  firms  engaged  Id  cattle  breeding  in  Mexico. 

The  number  of  Btock  slaughtered  for  consumption  in  the  Republic 
in  the  year  1902  is,  according  to  the  "Anuario  Estadistico,"  as  follows: 


Stock. 

Hiii'ls. 

Weight 

Value. 

1,031,256 
778,618 

Kilos. 
164, » 
10,466,263 
17,296,711 

43,358,934 

1(1,976,990 

387,  134 

Goats 

2,986,216 

14,  l'.'l.  149 

Total 

8,  321,  42* 

236, 087, 462 

61,904,788 

The  consumption  in  the  Federal  District  alone  amounted  to  351,101 
heads  valued  at  £7,115,015. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

MINES  AND  MINING,  MINING  LAWS,  TAXES,  ETC. 

Nature  has  richly  endowed  Mexico  with  resources  well-nigh  count- 
less, but  in  the  bestowal  of  mineral  resources  she  has  been  most  lavish. 
Beneath  the  surface  of  that  volcanic  ridge  raised  between  two  great 
bodies  of  water  lie  buried  treasures  incomparable,  and  although 
innumerable  mining  enterprises  have  for  nearly  four  hundred  years 
exploited  the  metal-bearing  regions  and  have  extracted  fabulous  quan- 
tities of  precious  metals,  by  far  the  greater  part  is  yet  to  be  laid  bare. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  Humboldt  estimated  the  mines 
in  Mexico  to  number  3,000.  In  recent  years  hardly  that  many  have 
been  worked,  but  the  extension  of  the  railroads  and  the  bringing  into 
closer  communication  of  remote  sections  of  the  country  have  brought 
about  a  revival  of  the  interest  in  this  great  industry. 

The  great  mining  region  runs  from  the  northwest  to  the  southeast, 
following  the  direction  of  the  Sierra  Madre  cordillera,  extending  from 
Sonora  to  the  south  of  Oaxaca,  a  distance  of  about  2,574  kilometers. 
The  immense  parallelogram  this  region  forms  has  a  width  of  about 
402  kilometers. 

The  richest  mines  have  been  discovered  on  the  western  slope  of  the 
cordilleras  at  an  elevation  of  about  from  915  to  2,440  meters  above  sea 
level. 

Most  of  the  historical  mines  are  situated  here,  having  been  opened 
up  by  the  Spaniards  in  1526  and  worked  until  1700,  with  little  for- 
mality and  less  science. 

The  English  first  undertook  mining  operations  in  1824,  and  con- 
ducted them  for  ten  years  with  no  very  profitable  results. 

DISTRIBUTION   OF   MINERALS. 

In  Chihuahua  numberless  mineral  districts  are  known  to  exist  con- 
taining copper,  lead,  mercury,  silver,  salt,  .and  coal  mines!  Other 
minerals  usually  accompan}^  the  substances  named,  such  as  iron,  zinc, 
antimony,  arsenic,  etc.  In  the  district  and  near  the  city  of  Chihuahua 
is  the  celebrated  Santa  Eulalia  mine,  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  country, 
the  products  of  which  have  left  a  monument  in  the  very  handsome 
parish  church  of  San  Francisco,  erected  in  the  city  between  the  j^ears 
1717  and  1789  with  the  proceeds  of  a  tax  of  1  real  (12i  cents)  on  each 

221 


222  Mexico. 

half  pound  of  silver  got  from  the  mine.  The  total  sum  thus  secured 
is  stated  to  be  $800,000.  During  the  early  part  of  the  year  L897  at 
the  properties  of  the  Gold  Hill  Mining  Company,  in  the  southwestern 

part  of  Chihuahua,  the  result  of  an  experimental  run  of  LOO  tons  of 
tailings  from  the  surface  ore  of  the  Rosario  mine  was  a  30-ounce  bar 
of  gold.  So  primitive  were  the  methods  employed  by  the  original 
workers  of  the  greater  part  of  the  Mexican  mines  that  the  Indians 
often  make  a  fair  living  by  working  over  the  tailings. 

Sonora  is  one  of  the  richest  as  well  as  most  important  mining  centers. 
It  is  noted  for  its  high-class  metals,  among  which  are  gold,  sih  er,  mer 
cury,  and  iron.  Here  abound  the  soft  or  lead  ores,  which  are  so  easily 
worked  and  aid  so  materially  in  smelting.  There  are  also  other  min- 
erals, such  as  asbestos,  copperas,  magnetic  iron  ore,  muriate  and  car- 
bonate of  soda,  and  saltpeter.  Native  silver  is  found  in  these  districts 
in  considerable  quantities,  and  native  iron  has  also  been  discovered 
in  the  Sierra  Madre,  Papagueria.  and  the  vicinity  of  the  Colorado 
River. 

Sonora  has  been  turning  out  plenty  of  gold,  the  output  having 
increased  since  the  Yaqui  Reservation  has  been  thrown  open.  Rich 
placers  are  known  to  exist  there,  and  it  is  expected  that  the  influx  of 
prospectors  will  be  great  in  the  near  future.  Over  200  prospectors 
went  into  the  Yaqui  country  in  August,  1S97,  and  it  is  stated  that  an 
Arizona  miner  came  out  recently  with  $80,000,  the  product  of  the 
work  of  three  men  during  three  months. 

Sinaloa  has  also  more  than  Too  mining  districts,  the  mineral  deposits 
being  classified  into  six  formations.  Calciferous  and  quartz  ore  pre- 
vail, with  silver  in  a  native  state  or  combined  with  sulphur,  antimony, 
and  arsenic,  with  more  or  less  traces  of  gold.  Veins  of  gold-bearing 
quartz  exist  in  some  localities,  and  deposits  of  iron  ore,  sulphite  of 
lead.  zinc,  copper,  and  silica  are  to  be  found. 

The  districts  of  Durango  run  mostly  to  silver,  yet  many  other  metals 
exist,  such  as  talc  and  iron,  the  latter  being  found  in  inexhaustible 
quantities  in  the  Cerro  del  Mercado,  which  is  a  solid  mass  of  iron. 
averaging  66  per  cent  pure.  This  deposit  was  discovered  in  L562  by 
Vasquez  del  Mercado.  The  cerro,  or  hill,  is  4,800  feet  long,  1,100 
feet  wide,  and  640  feet  high,  and  according  to  calculations,  over 
300,000,000  tons  of  solid  iron  might  be  extracted  from  it. 

Jalisco  is  another  silver-producing  region,  and  furnishes  also  copper 
and  lead  ores  and  coal.  ' 

Of  the  96  districts  in  Michoacan  only  56  were  worked  in  1!>i>2.  due 
to  the  very  limited  population  of  the  State  and  lack  of  the  necessary 
capital.  The  principal  deposits  are  of  copper.  In  1897  a  company 
was  formed  in  London,  with  a  capital  of  $400,000,  to  carry  on  a  gen- 
eral mining  business  in  the  Ario  and  Morelia  districts  of  Michoacan. 

Zacatecas  is  the  great  silver-producing  State.     It  is  estimated  that 


MINERAL    WEALTH.  223 

in  the  last  three  centuries  its  many  mines,  which  weie  first  worked  b}r 
the  Spaniards  in  1540,  but  which  had  previously  been  worked  in  a  rude 
way  by  the  Indians,  have  yielded  over  a  thousand  million  of  dollars. 

Guerrero  has  always  been  considered  as  one  of  the  richest  mineral 
sections  of  America.  Prospectors  heretofore  have  been  compelled  to 
abandon  rich  discoveries  on  account  of  a  lack  of  transportation  facilities 
and  scarcity  of  labor.  The  construction  of  the  Mexico,  Cuernavaca 
and  Pacific  Railway  has  opened  up  this  wonderful  country,  with  the 
result  that  large  American  companies  have  sent  experts  to  investigate 
the  marvelous  wealth  of  this  belt,  which  is  comparativel}*  unknown. 
Many  natives  in  the  State  named  make  a  living  by  washing  out  placer 
gold  in  the  crudest  possible  manner.  Experts  announce  that  there  is 
an 'abundance  of  gold  in  this  portion  of  the  country,  and  that  the  only 
need  is  the  presence  of  intelligent  prospectors  to  find  it.  The  gold 
runs  from  10  to  12^  ounces  to  the  ton.  Copper  is  very  abundant,  and 
there  are  also  rich  carbonate  of  lead  ores. 

The  State  of  Oaxaca  has  long  been  recognized  to  be  rich  in  gold, 
and  much  work  has  been  done  b}T  the  arrastra  system,  b}r  which  a  good 
deal  of  the  metal  was  lost  in  the  tailings.  There  is  the  best  authority 
for  the  statement  that  some  dumps  there  contain  thousands  of  tons 
which  will  assay  as  high  as  an  ounce  to  the  ton. 

Guanajuato  is  another  far-famed  silver-producing  State,  and  has 
been  and  still  is  the  center  of  great  exploitation.  The  district  bearing 
the  name  of  the  State  was  discovered  in  1548,  and  has  been  worked 
almost  continuously  ever  since  that  date,  the  output  of  its  mines 
reaching  fabulous  figures.  Native  gold  has  been  discovered  in  this 
district,  and  the  late  denouncing  and  registering  of  mines  has  dis- 
closed the  presence  of  other  minerals,  such  as  tin  and  bismuth.  Pros- 
pecting is  still  going  on,  and  not  unfrequently  is  the  news  of  another 
rich  strike  heralded  abroad.  The  estimated  annual  output  of  the 
mines  is  $6,000,000. 

In  the  mineral  district  of  Queretaro  are  to  be  found  lead  metals, 
cinnabar,  and  the  ever-present  silver.  The  mines  are  numerous  and 
important.  The  celebrated  San  Juan  Nepomuceno,  or  El  Doctor  mine, 
is  situated  here,  in  the  Cadereyta  district.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  and 
richest  of  Mexico,  its  production  being  so  great  two  hundred  years 
ago  that  it  paid  the  Spanish  Government  $18,000,000  in  taxes.  It  is 
in  this  State  that  the  fine  opals,  which  reflect  every  prismatic  color  and 
are  much  sought  after,  are  found.  Great  beds  of  these  stones  exist 
on  the  celebrated  hacienda  of  La  Esperanza.  The  opals  from  this 
place  are  sold  in  the  City  of  Mexico  by  itinerant  venders  at  remark- 
ably low  prices. a  The  most  important  deposit  of  these  stones  pro- 
duced some  j'ears  ago  from  $80,000  to  §100.000  a  year. 

a  Large  opals  can  be  bought  in  Queretaro  for  $2  each,  and  small  ones  for  50  cents. 


22  I  MEXICO. 

The  State  of  Morelos  has  but  one  mineral  district  worthy  the  name, 
thai  <>t*  Huautlii.  which,  like  most  of  those  "in  the  country,  i-  silver 
producing. 

Puebla'a  districts  yield  native  gold,  silver,  oxide  of  manganese,  and 
pyrites,  as  well  as  coal  and  iron  ore.  Here  also  exist  quarries  of  beau- 
tiful onyx  and  what  is  known  as  Puebla  marble.  This  onyx  is  much 
used  in  the  United  States  for  decorating  houses  and  in  the  jeweler's 
trade  In  the  mountains  bordering  on  the  States  of  Zacatecas,  San 
Luis  Potosi.  ( toahuila,  and  Nuevo  Leon  extensive  quarries  of  onyx  and 
marble  of  most  beautiful  colors  and  varieties,  equal  in  every  way  to 
the  Puebla  product,  are  being  worked. 

Anions  tin-  mineral  regions  in  the  eastern  cordillera.  that  of  Zome- 
lahuacan,  in  the  State  of  Veracruz,  deserves  mention,  three  class  •-  of 
metal  being  found  there — lead,  argentiferous  cooper,  and  iron.  Gold 
nuggets  have  been  secured  there  also,  as  well  as  very  rich  malachite 
in  scattered  veins,  the  mother  vein  not  having  been  discovered  up  to 
date. 

The  State  of  Mexico  is  rich  in  mines  of  native  gold  and  silver,  as 
well  as  those  of  copper,  iron,  oxide  of  iron,  and  manganese. 

The  Territory  of  Lower  California  is  rich  in  minerals.  The  penin- 
sula is  barren  and  without  water.  The  mountain  ridge  forming  the 
backbone  of  the  peninsula  is  a  continuation  of  the  coast  range  of  Upper 
California  and  is  interwoven  almost  over  its  entire  extent  with  metallic 
veins  of  all  descriptions.  Near  San  Jose  and  Cape  St.  Lucas  there  are 
argentiferous  and  auriferous  outcroppings  and  in  the  municipalities  of 
La  Paz,  El  Triunfo,  and  San  Antonio  veins  of  gold.  Bilver,  iron,  and 
other  substances  are  exhibited  on  the  surface  of  the  mountains. 

J n  the  districts  of  Comondu,  Loreto,  San  Luis,  and  Muleje,  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  peninsula,  rich  copper  mines  abound.  The  Boleo 
initio,  situated  in  this  part,  have  for  }rears  been  the  chief  source  of 
the  copper  supply.  There  are  also  other  metals,  such  as  mica,  iron, 
tin,  and  oxides  of  iron,  besides  gypsum,  enormous  piles  or  hills  of 
which  are  to  be  found,  marble,  alabaster,  and  sand-tone.  Gold  was 
discovered  near  Santa  Gertrudis,  north  of  Mule j 6,  about  1*^4.  and  it 
is  said  that  the  mountains  and  gulches  in  that  vicinity  have  rich  veins 
of  this  metal. 

In  this  district  there  are  also  solid  mountains  of  iron.  The  frontier 
district  of  Lower  California  is  noted  for  its  gold  diggings  and  ledges, 
mica,  and  other  mineral  substances,  such  as  sulphur,  soda,  and  salt. 
American  capitalists  are  largely  interested  in  this  region. 

Besides  the  minerals  named,  there  are  in  the  peninsula  plumbago, 
sulphuret  of  lead,  porphyry,  prismatic  pyrites,  sulphur,  oxide  of  anti- 
mony and  lead,  carbonate  and  phosphate  of  lead,  hydroxide  of  iron, 
and  hydrosilicate  of  copper.  Near  Todos  Santos  some  lime  quarries 
exist. 


PRECIOUS    STONES.  225 

The  State  of  Hidalgo  deserves  more  extended  mention  here,  as  it 
was  in  one  of  its  districts  that  a  miner  discovered  the  patio  process 
for  reducing  ores — a  process  which  to  this  day  is  most  in  use  in  Mexico, 
and  one  which  no  miner  or  mining  engineer  has  been  able  to  super- 
sede b}^  a  more  economical  one  for  reducing  the  peculiar  ores  in  which 
that  country  abounds.  The  great  mineral  district  of  this  State  is  situ- 
ated in  the  vicinity  of  Pachuca,  the  principal  mines  being  the  Real  del 
Monte,  Atontolico  el  Chico,  and  Zimapan. 

Pachuca,  with  its  rich  cluster  of  mines,  lies  on  a  plain  about  60 
miles  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  mining  centers 
in  the  country,  having  been  worked  for  more  than  three  and  one-half 
centuries.  The  district  within  which  it  lies  now  has  a  population  of 
100,000,  a  large  proportion  of  which  is  Indian  miners.  It  was  here 
that  the  patio  process  of  amalgamation  was  discovered  by  the  cele- 
brated Mexican  miner,  Bartolome  de  Medina,  in  1557.  The  very 
hacienda  de  benejicio,  or  reduction  works,  where  this  discover}^  was 
made  are  still  to  be  seen  in  the  town. 

Sulphate  of  silver  is  the  prevailing  metal,  although  native  silver 
mixed  with  ore  is  found  in  some  of  the  mines  of  this  district.  Most 
of  these  mines,  as  well  as  those  in  other  States,  are  still  operated  in 
the  primitive  Mexican  fashion.  The  metal  is  brought  up  in  rawhide 
sacks  by  means  of  ropes  made  of  the  fiber  of  the  maguey  wound  about 
a  large  malacate  (horse  or  mule  windlass),  and  the  peons  or  laborers 
carry  pieces  of  ore  weighing  sometimes  between  100  and  200  pounds 
on  their  backs  from  "headings"  of  the  levels  to  the  main  shaft.  Some 
foreigners  are  employed  in  the  mines  of  Pachuca  and  elsewhere  at  good 
wages,  but  they  generall}r  are  superintendents,  engineers,  bosses,  etc. 

There  are  in  the  Republic  abundant  sulphur  deposits,  particularly 
those  of  Popocatapetl,  Pico  de  Orizaba,  and  Tajimaroa,  several  deposits 
of  salt,  rock  crystal,  marble,  jasper,  fine  building  stone,  and  the  beau- 
tiful onyx  of  Tecali. 

The  most  celebrated  salt  deposits  of  Mexico  are  those  of  Penon 
Blanco,  in  San  Luis  Potosi,  their  product  containing  from  TO  to  80  per 
cent  of  chloride  of  sodium.  On  the  coasts  of  both  oceans  there  are  also 
a  great  number  of  salt  mines,  the  most  useful  being  those  of  Yucatan, 
whence  comes  the  salt  for  reducing  the  product  of  the  mines  of  Hidalgo. 

Mexico  also  has  deposits  of  precious  stones,  such  as  the  opal,  topaz, 
emerald,  agate,  amethyst,  and  garnet.  It  is  related  that  one  of  the 
heroes  of  Mexican  independence,  General  Guerrero,  possessed  some 
diamonds  which  had  been  given  him  by  one  of  his  soldiers,  who  had 
found  them  during  an  expedition  in  that  part  of  the  Sierra  Madre 
running  through  the  State  of  Guerrero.  The  field  or  locality  whence 
came  these  precious  stones,  of  which  the  General  gave  but  vague  infor- 
mation, has  been  vainly  sought  by  various  prospectors. 

509a— 04 15 


226 


MEXICO. 


The  most  interesting  fact  in  connection  with  the  mining  industry  <>f 
Mexico  is  the  recenl  increase  in  her  gold  output.  In  L893  the  value 
of  the  gold  produced  was  only  3|  per  cent  of  that  of  the  silver.  In 
1894  it  rose  to  about  L4  per  cent;  in  L901-2  it  was  20  per  cent. 

Exports  of  gold  bullion.  The  exports  of  gold  bullion  from  Mexico 
since  L888-89,  according  to  Mexican  official  figures,  have  been  as 
follows: 


Vinr. 

Value 
Mexican 

silver  i. 

Year. 

Value 
Mexican 

sih  ■ 

1*89-90  

1890-91  

S349, 506 

612,618 
751,407 

357,887 

166,954 

4.139,645 

-96 

1896-97 

98 

15,246,418 

-   - 
6,  36-1,  308 

1891-92  

1898-49 

1899-1900... 

1900-1901... 
1901-2 

7,847,760 

7 

1893  94..   . 
1S94  95 





Q  141.9<U 

The  late  I  >on  Matias  Romero,  when  Mexican  Minister  at  Washington, 
predicted  that  Mexico  is  destined  to  become  one  of  the  Largest  pro- 
ducers of  gold  in  the  world,  basing  his  prediction  on  the  fact  that  here- 
tofore the  mining  of  gold  has  been  merely  an  incident  of  the  extraction 
of  silver,  and  that  when  the  amount  of  yellow  metal  in  silver  was  small 
it  was  not  separated;  hut  since  the  value  of  gold  has  appreciated  to 
so  great  a  degree  the  mining  of  the  metal  has  assumed  much  larger 
proportions. 

Silver  production. — As  regards  the  production  of  silver,  according 
to  the  "International  Economist,"  of  Berlin,  quoted  by  the  Consul- 
General  of  the  United  States  at  Frankfort  in  his  report  of  November 
29,  L899:  " Enormous  quantities  of  silver  still  come  from  the  chief 
producing  countries  Mexico  and  the  United  States  and  Mexico 
especially  seems  to  be  inexhaustible."  The  figures  given  for  Mexico, 
in  the  article  quoted,  are  as  follow-: 


Year                                 °":i 

Vear. 

i  fences, 
flne. 

1896 4"..  Tin.  982 



Exports  ofsMvt  r  bullion.  — The  exports  of  silver  bullion  since  ]  —   -it 
are  as  follows: 


Value 
Year.                              Mexican 

-il- 

Vear. 

Value 
(Mexican 

silver). 

■ S6, 629, 260 

1895-96.   .                                         

186,846, 160 

id,  966 

; 

1890-91 6,761,217 



36,721,276 

: 6, 559, 668 



40, 429, 954 
62,116,284 
53,036,016 
48,021,133 



1899  1900 

3, 130, 823 

1900-1901 

1901-2 

1894-95 18, 803, 867 

MINING    PROPERTIES. 


227 


Min<  ml  j  i  roil  action. — Data  collected  from  official  and  other  sources 
for  the  mineral  production  during  the  fiscal  year  1902-3  show  the 
following-  condition  of  the  mining  industnr  in  the  Republic. 

The  extent  of  mining  properties  under  operation  for  the  fiscal  3'ear 
ending  June  30,  1903,  together  with  the  classification  of  the  ores,  was 
as  follows: 


Ores. 


Number 
of  prop- 
erties. 


Hectares. 


Gold 

Gold  and  silver 

Silver 

Gold,  silver,  and  copper. 
Gold,  silver,  and  lead 

Gold  and  copper 

Silver  and  copper 

Silver,  copper,  and  lead  . 

Silver,  lead 

Silver,  manganese 

Silver,  mercury 

Antimony 

Sulphur 

Copper 

Copper,  iron 

Copper,  lead 

Tin 

Iron 

Manganese 

Mercury 

Nickel,  cobalt 

Opal 

Lead 

Sal  gem 

Tellurium 

Turquoise 

Zinc 


1,298 

4,345 

4,904 

720 

712 

218 

624 

255 

2,723 

4 

6 

47 

94 

765 

151 

22 

30 

265 

13 

146 

1 

17 

61 

4 

1 

1 

1 


17,497 

41,674 

42, 182 

13,  212 

8,363 

3,894 

9, 780 

3, 624 

28, 792 

55 

65 

2,008 

2, 975 

22, 483 

2, 570 

568 

727 

7, 392 

237 

4,720 

3 

43 

696 

110 

4 

3 

15 


Total 


17,428 


213,701 


Distribution. — The  distribution  by  States  of  these  mining  properties 
is  shown  in  the  following  table: 


Number 
of  prop- 
erties. 

Hectares. 

Ares. 

CENTRAL  STATES. 

188 

2,558 

764 

542 

376 

55 

143 

125 

349 

3 

1,612 

997 

22,  924 

9,478 

4,116 

4,980 

680 

1,826 

1 ,  954 

7,484 

30 

15, 825 

13 

49 

62 

93 

18 

34 

88 

48 

76 

9 

86 

Total 

6, 615 

70, 299 

67 

NORTHERN  STATES. 

519 
2,814 

494 
2,299 

10, 239 
30, 853 
9,636 
40, 528 

69 

68 

32 

84 

Total 

6, 126 

91,258 

53 

GULF  STATES. 

89 
51 

2,021 
778 

32 

60 

Total 

140 

2, 799 

92 

228 


MEXICO. 


Number 

of  prop- 
erties. 


Hectares. 


PACIFK     STATES, 


Lower  California  Territory. 

Colima 

Chiapas 

Guerrero        

Jalisco 

Uichoacan 

Oazaca 

Sinaloa 

Tepic  Territory 


Total 


Central  States  .. 
Northern  States 
Gulf  Btati 
Pacific  States  . . 


Total 


REC.AI'ITt   1  Alios. 


656 
26 
18 
585 
851 

H9 

1,082 
786 
215 


4,547 


6, 615 
6, 126 

140 

4,517 


17,428 


5,867 

171 

•J7I 

6,149 
11,900 

S.VJO 

6,638 
1,566 


49,343 


70,299 
91,268 
2,799 
19,848 


213, 701 


39 


Number  of  mining  properties  with  respective  titles  on  June  30,1903 17,428 

Number  on  June  80,  1902 14,639 

Increase 2, 889 


Extension  of  the  properties  held — 

Hectares. 

axes. 

218,701 
172,696 

:.i 

80 

41,005 

71 

\'uhh  of  mineral  production. — The  value  in  round  numbers  of  the 
mineral  production  of  Mexico  in  the  fiscal  year  L902-3  wits  us  follows: 

Silver $82,  300, 000 

Gold 32,  500, 000 

Copper  and  copper  ores 19,600, 000 

Lead  and  lead  ores - 5,  670, 000 

Antimony,  antimony  oree 1, 139,  000 

Asphalt  and  coal 35, 000 

Other  minerals 150, 000 

Marbles 200,000 

Total  production  in  L902-3 141 .  594,  000 

Mineral  production  fiscal  year  1901-2 113, 057, 000 

Increase 28,  537,  000 

The  figures  relating  to  gold  and  silver  embrace  the  amounts  exported 
and  used  for  coinage  in  mints,  exclusive  of  the  minerals  applied  to 
home  commercial  consumption,  such  as  quicksilver,  iron,  copper,  lead, 
etc.,  and  also  the  gold  and  silver  used  in  the  home  industries. 

( 'Lt i ins. — The  number  of  mining  claims  registered  during  the  cal- 
endar year  1902  was  16,430,  covering  196,225  hectares,  and  embracing 
the  following  mineral  substances: 


EXPORTS. 


22V) 


Mineral  substances. 


Mining 
properties. 


Area, 
hectares. 


Gold 

Gold  and  silver 

Gold,  silver,  and  copper 
Gold,  silver,  and  lead . . . 

Gold  and  copper 

Silver 

Silver  and  copper 

Silver,  copper,  and  lead. 

silver  and  lead 

Silver  and  manganese  . . 

Silver  and  mercury 

Copper 

Copper  and  lead 

Copper  and  iron 

Lead 

Iron 

Tin 

Mercury 

Zinc . . ." 

Antimony 

Manganese 

Sulphur 

Tellurium 

Turquoise 

Opal 

Sal  gem 

Total 


1,195 

3,892 

642 

630 

194 

4,882 

615 

224 

2,616 

3 

5 

745 

25 

126 

61 

227 

25 

146 

1 

53 

9 

90 

1 

1 

18 
4 


16,430 


13,881 

35, 255 

12, 618 

7,403 

2,641 

41, 744 

9,470 

3, 339 

27,985 

35 

49 

22, 193 

545 

2, 350 

714 

5, 692 

501 

4,776 

15 

2,119 

95 

2, 657 

3 

4 

45 

110 


196, 250 


It  is  stated  upon  reliable  authority  that  while  Mexico  has  produced 
a  fabulous  amount  of  the  precious  metals  during  the  past  four  hundred 
years,  there  are  still  many  sections  of  the  country  where  the  ground 
has  not  even  been  broken. 

Easports. — The  exports  of  copper  and  copper  ores  per  month  in  the 
tiscal  year  1902-3  were  as  follows: 


July 

August 

September  . 

October 

November 
December.. 


1902. 


Copper. 


Quantity. 


January  . 
February 
March  . . . 

April 

May 

June 


Kilos. 
1,861,411 
5,  762, 546 
5,243,069 
3,922,427 
4, 669, 625 
6,714,599 


3, 752, 157 
4,572,117 
5,361),  IM 
4,626,100 
1,463,923 
6, 712, 594 


Total 54, 660, 749 


Value. 


$485, 360. 25 
1,933,001.16 
1,723,956.54 
1,317,681.92 
1,523,176.49 
2, 195, 060. 32 


1,534,221.50 
1,345,832.56 
2, 045, 049. 95 
1,438,635.07 
683, 307. 68 
2, 128, 653. 71 


18, 353, 943. 15 


Copper  ores. 


Quantity. 


Kilos. 

1,253 

414 

917, 947 

214, 143 


525 


2,042,757 


4,911,305 


Value. 


$105.  00 

25.00 

9, 300. 00 

2, 160.  00 


53.00 


587,794.40 


661,. si  1.67 


1,261,249.27 


Year. 

Copper 

exports. 

Value. 

1902-3  

Tons. 
54,660 
40, 312 

$18,353,943 

1901-2  .. 

12,466,  431 

14,  348         5.  887.  496 

230  M1-.A1CO. 

The  exports  <>!'  other  mineral  products  in   L902— 3  compared  with 

1901-2  were: 


VllllH- 

1902-3. 

llMPl--.'. 

Li'in  1 .  98,9  U  t<  >ns 

$5,668,228.00  ! 
2.909 

15,722,046.69 

Lead  orea 

Antimony 828,996.00   

Antimony  orea 816,118.00  281.69 

Asphalt  and  eoaj 86,127.00  19,041.76 

Marbles 150,6k;.  ih.i  98, 660. 00 


Total 6, 996, 023. 95  i        6.  l'J3,  91s.  *x 


To  the  foregoing  must  be  added  the  value  of  small  lots  of  mineral 
products  exported  during  the  fiscal  year  L902-3,  which  did  not  exceed 
1200,000. 

MINI  \«.    METHODS. 

There  arc  five  processes  for  the  reduction  of  ore  in  use  in  Mexico — 
the  patio,  tonal,  lixiviation,  fuago,  and  pan,  the  patio  and  li.rlridtion 
being  those  most  in  vogue. 

Patio  process.  The  patio  process,  invented,  as  before  stated,  by 
Bartolome  de  Medina,  consists  <>f  amalgamation  with  quicksilver. 
This  system  of  treating  ore  is  a^  follows: 

The  ore  is  brought  from  the  mine  in  large  pieces  and  carried  to  a 
covered  box,  where  it  is  pounded  to  pieces  by  immense  wooden  crush- 
ers, provided  at  the  end  with  heavy  iron  pestles,  and  working  on  arms 
connected  with  an  axle,  operated  by  horsepower.  The  iron  pestles 
reduce  the  ore  to  pieces,  which  fall  upon  a  sieve  made  of  hide,  tin 
smaller  fragments  passing  through  it,  while  the  larger  are  placed  back 
in  the  box  to  be  crushed  again.  There  are  generally  several  of  these 
crushers  in  a  straight  line,  working  alternately.  After  the  ore  has 
been  crushed  in  the  mortars  (morteros)  it  passes  to  the  mill  (tahones), 
which  consists  of  a  round  vat  placed  on  a  level  with  the  floor.  Here 
the  ore  is  ground  up  into  tine  dust  by  means  of  three  heavy  and  hard 
granite  stones,  oblong  jn  shape  and  connected  with  a  revolving  shaft 
operated  by  horsepower. 

By  the  gradual  addition  of  water  during  this  process  of  pulverization 
a  muddy  mass  i>  formed,  which  at  the  proper  time  is  thrown  out  into 
the  patio  (yard),  which  has  a  floor  made  of  hard  cement  or  stone  where 
the  mud  is  treated  by  the  addition  of  quicksilver  and  strong  brine 
called  caldo.  It  i^  thus  left  in  the  open  ail-,  exposed  to  the  heat  of  the 
sun,  for  some  twenty  or  thirty  days,  being  stirred  every  day  by  men 
and  horses  tramping  over  it  until  the  quicksilver  and  the  salt  are  well 
incorporated  to  the  ore.  This  substance  is  called  torta  d\  lama  (cake 
of  mud),  and  when  the  process  of  mixing  is  completed  the  mud  is 
carried  to  the  hi  r,ni,  ,■<•  (washing  place)  and  placed  in   vats,  where  it  is 


SILVER   ORES.  231 

washed,  leaving-  in  the  vats  what  is  called platapina  (amalgamated  sil- 
ver), containing  quicksilver.  This  amalgam  is  then  placed  into  stout 
canvas  bags  and  submitted  to  a  heavy  pressure  to  extract  the  mercury, 
and  when  this  operation  is  completed  it  is  placed  in  the  oven,  where 
the  silver  is  purified. 

An  additional  process  connected  with  this  system  in  the  reduction 
of  certain  kinds  of  ores  is  employed  after  the  mineral  has  been  exposed 
to  the  sun  in  the  path,  or  yard,  when  it  is  transferred  to  the  jplanillo, 
which  is  an  inclined  plane  in  the  open  air,  having  a  solid  stone  floor 
some  60  feet  long  and  20  feet  wide.  The  workmen  are  engaged  all 
along  this  inclined  plane  in  throwing  small  quantities  of  water  on  the 
lama,  so  that  the  mud  runs  off  to  a  ditch,  while  the  silver  remains  at 
the  foot  of  the  plane.  This  method  requires  skill,  as  the  wrater  must 
be  added  graduall}'.  The  silver  and  the  remaining  muddy  mass  is 
carried  to  a  large  iron  boiler  where  it  is  heated  and  stirred  until  the 
evaporation  of  the  liquid  is  accomplished.  At  the  proper  stage  of  this 
operation  the  remaining  substance  is  taken  to  the  amalgamating  room, 
where  the  quicksilver  is  added,  which  unites  with  the  silver.  The 
mass  resulting  is  then  washed  again,  only  the  amalgam  of  silver  and 
mercury  remaining,  which  is  further  purified  in  a  furnace  and  the 
silver  run  into  molds. 

Lixiviation  process. — In  the  method  of  lixiviation,  which  is  adopted 
in  several  of  the  States,  the  rock  is  crushed  dry  and  passed  through 
screens  of  twenty  to  thirty  meshes  to  the  inch.  It  is  then  roasted  in 
reverberator}'  furnaces  with  salt.  The  roasted  ore  is  then  subjected 
to  the  water  process,  being  kept  in  large  tanks  or  tubs,  constantly 
covered  and  run  over  by  clear  water  during  a  number  of  hours,  after 
which  the  water  is  drawn  off  and  a  cold  solution  of  hj'posulphate  of 
soda  is  made  to  pass  through  the  ore  until  it  is  ascertained  that  the 
solution  carries  no  more  silver.  The  silver  carried  by  the  hyposul- 
phate  solution  is  precipitated  by  the  addition  to  that  solution  of  another 
solution  of  quicklime  and  sulphur,  known  as  calcium  sulphide,  which 
is  made  by  boiling  lime  and  sulphur.  After  the  precipitation  and  the 
running  off  of  the  precipitating  liquid  the  silver  appears  as  a  sulphide, 
is  put  into  canvas  filters,  dried,  roasted  in  reverberatory  furnaces  to 
carry  off  the  sulphur,  and  then  melted  into  bars.  If  the  operation  is 
carefully  performed  the  bullion  resulting  will  be  from  900  to  1,000 
fine.     The  solution  is  pumped  back  into  the  tanks  to  be  used  again. 

Sliver  c/res. — There  are  several  kinds  of  silver  ore  taken  from  the 
mines.  Some  of  the  principal  varieties  areplata  hlanca  (white  silver), 
which  is  the  rarest  and  best;  plata  verde  (green  silver),  united  with 
copper;  bronces  (bronzes),  united  with  iron;  plomosos  (lead),  united 
with  lead,  a  very  soft  ore;  caliches  (chalk),  united  with  a  chalky  sub- 
stance very  greatly  resembling  the  common  white  limestone,  but  wThich 
is  rich  in  silver  and  easily  worked.     Previous  to  the  passage  of  the 


232  IfEXlOO. 

tariff  bill  of  L890,  generally  known  as  the  McKinley  bill,  and  the  buc- 
ceeding  tariff  lulls,  silver-bearing  lead  ore  was  brought  from  Mexico 
to  the  United  States  for  reduction.  These  bills  pul  a  heavy  duty  on 
such  ores,  and  have  caused  companies  t<>  form  in  the  latter  country  to 
establish  smelting  works  in  different  parts  of  Mexico.  Millions  of 
dollar-  have  been  invested  by  American  capitalists  in  this  industry. 

Wages  for  miners. — Wages  Eor  miners  range  all  the  way  from  374 
cents  to $1.50  per  day.  the  workmen  being  mostly  peones  (day  laborers). 
Superintendents,  ore  treaters,  etc.,  are  generally  American-.  Swedes, 
or  ( rermans. 

mimm;    di:\  ELOPMENT. 

President  Diaz  in  his  message  to  ( !ongress  September  16,  1903,  refers 
to  the  development  of  mining  in  the  following  language: 

"  Mining  continue1  s  to  progress,  in  spite  of  the  depreciation  and  fluc- 
tuation in  the  price  of  silver,  which  is  mining's  chief  product.  During 
the  last  fiscal  year  4,132  title  deeds  to  mining  properties  were  issued, 
embracing  an  area  of  61,396  hectares,  which  is  an  increase  of  524  title 
deeds  and  736  hectare-  as  compared  with  the  previous  year. 

•"In  the  period  that  has  elapsed  since  my  last  message  three  contracts 
have  been  entered  into  for  the  exploitation  of  all  kinds  of  minerals  in 
Jalisco,  Lower  California,  and  Zacatecas,  and  another  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  reduction  work-,  while  the  contract  for  the  exploitation  of 
sulphur  in  the  mining  camp  of  Cerritos  was  amended. 

••The  exploitation  of  ore-,  other  than  those  containing  gold,  silver, 
lead,  copper,  and  iron,  is  being  undertaken,  for  recently  various  title 
deeds  have  been  issued  for  mines  of  cobalt,  nickel,  tin.  bismuth,  and 
principally  antimony.  Of  the  latter  metal  alone  5,351  tons  of  ore. 
yielding  2,150  tons  of  antimony,  were  treated  in  the  Wadley  smelter 
at  San  Luis  Potosi  alone." 

Consul-General  Barlow,  in  his  report  of  <  >ctober29, 1902,°  referring 
to  the  amount  of  American  capital  invested  in  Mexico,  says  the  follow- 
ing, relating  to  mining: 

••Next  in  importance  to  the  railroads,  from  the  standpoint  of  Amer- 
ican capital  invested,  i-  the  mining  industry.  Since  the  time  of  Cortes 
mining  has  been  the  principal  source  of  Mexico'-  wealth.  The  amount 
invested  by  Americans  in  mining  in  Mexico  may  be  stated,  in  round 
ngures,  at  $80,000,000. 

"This  is  a  comparatively  small  percentage  of  the  total  amount  of 
capital  invested  in  Mexican  mining  properties,  yet  a  large  amount  of 
this  $80,000,000  is  invested  in  up-to-date  mining  machinery,  which  is 
competently  handled:  and  Mexico's  mineral  wealth  has  been  greatly 
increased  by  this  American  investment.  Mines  that  were  given  up 
years  ago  and  mines  that  could  not  be  worked  at  all  on  account  of  the 


«"United  states  enterprises  in  Mexico,"  Commercial  Relations  of  the  United 
States,  1902,  Vol.  I,  p.  433. 


COAL    AND    PETROLEUM.  238 

low  grade  of  the  ores  can  now  be  profitabl}T  worked  by  the  newer 
methods,  for  which  Mexico  is  mostly  indebted  to  Americans.  The 
increased  output  of  Mexican  mines,  as  well  as  the  opening  up  of  new 
mining  districts,  is  largely  due  to  Americans,  both  through  the 
improved  mining  methods  and  through  the  development  of  the  coun- 
try  b}-  railroads  built  b}T  our  capital.  Thus,  taken  on  the  whole, 
American  capital  is  a  stronger  factor  in  Mexico's  principal  industry 
than  the  amount  invested  indicates  on  the  surface. 

"From  the  analysis  it  is  seen  that  Sonora  has  the  largest  amount  of 
capital  invested  in  any  one  State  of  Mexico — $27,800,000.  For  the 
purpose  of  these  comparisons,  a  rough  estimate  is  made  of  the  value 
of  the  capital  in  cases  where  it  is  left  blank  in  the  tables.  From  data 
obtainable  this  general  statement  ma}r  be  held  to  be  reliable. 

"Chihuahua  comes  next,  with  $21,000,000.  The  amount— $6,000,- 
000 — credited  to  the  Federal  District  does  not  represent  the  amount 
invested  within  the  Federal  District,  for  that  is  practically  nothing, 
but  represents  the  capital  invested  in  all  parts  of  the  Republic  b\T 
various  mining  companies  having  main  offices  in  the  City  of  Mexico. 
Therefore  the  State  of  Durango  ranks  third  in  importance  with  regard 
to  the  amount  of  American  capital  invested  in  its  mining  industry, 
with  $6,500,000.  Coahuila  is  next,  with  an  even  $6,000,000  of  Amer- 
ican capital  invested." 

The  number  of  American  firms  engaged  in  mining,  according  to  the 
same  report,  is  290.  All  the  States  are  represented,  the  principal,  as 
regards  the  number  of  firms,  being  Sonora  62,  Chihuahua  45,  Sinaloa 
30,  Federal  District  24,  Durango  23,  Oaxaca  17,  Jalisco  16,  Nuevo 
Leon  and  Zacatecas  11  each. 

COAL,  PETROLEUM,  ETC. 

Mexican  geologists  affirmed  for  many  years  that  no  mineral  coal 
existed  in  their  country.  About  the  year  1881,  however,  reports  from 
several  parts  of  the  country  claimed  that  anthracite  coal  had  been  dis- 
covered, and  many  specimens  of  what  was  supposed  to  be  this  mineral 
were  sent  to  the  National  College  of  Engineers  to  lie  assayed.  Much 
enthusiasm  was  aroused  by  these  reports,  and  the  Department  of  Pro- 
motion appointed  scientific  commissions  to  visit  the  alleged  coal  local- 
ities and  report  thereon.  The  labors  of  these  commissions  proved  that 
coal  did  exist,  assaying  from  11  to  92  per  cent,  the  latter  in  the  State 
of  Sonora.  It  was  to  this  coal  that  General  Rosecrans  gave  the  name 
of  black  gold.  The  commissions  discovered  and  reported  on  anthra- 
cite deposits  in  Sonora,  Michoacan,  Veracruz,  Guerrero,  Oaxaca, 
Puebla,  and  other  States. 

The  excitement  and  enthusiasm  thus  created  led  to  the  formation  of 
many  coal  companies,  and  many  persons  looked  forward  to  the  amass- 
ing of  fortunes  out  of  collieries,  but  the  results  were  not  great.     This 


234  MIX  Mo. 

enthusiasm  was  succeeded  by  a  state  of  depression  and  inactivity  by 
the  discovery  thai  the  seams  of  coal  brought  to  light  were  poor,  and 
that  the  reports  and  rumors  were  exaggerated.  Want  of  means  of 
communication  between  the  deposits  and  the  markets  also  had  much  to 
do  with  the  quiescent  state.  The  depression  continued  until  profitable 
coal  deposits  were  unearthed  inCoahuila.  These  deposits  occur,  geo- 
logically speaking,  in  the  Cretaceous  formation,  and  arc  divided  into 
two  beds,  the  Upper  and  the  Lower.  The  product  of  these  fields  bas 
been  used  to  supply  coke  for  the  use  of  smelters  in  several  Mexican 
States,  and  some  coal  has  been  -hipped  to  the  Tinted  States  through 
the  port  of  Piedras  Negras.  Throughout  this  region  the  coal  measures 
are  considerably  disturbed  by  faults  and  foldings,  and  the  seams  are 
irregular  in  width,  having  many  barren  areas  between  them. 

Alonu'  the  Gulf  of  California,  extending  north  to  the  Arizona  line. 
in  the  State  of  Sonora,  coal  was  found  and  used  by  local  silver -inciters 
as  early  as  the  year  ls7<>.  In  L890  an  English  company  secured  a 
concession  of  4,000,000  acre-  of  land  in  this  belt.  Through  failure  to 
carry  out  the  terms  of  the  concession  it  was  forfeited,  and  a  Mexican 
company  was  organized  to  carry  on  the  proposed  work,  but  has  done 
little  of  importance. 

The  coal  is  anthracite  and  -ciniant hracite.  containing  from  8  to  L5 
per  cent  ash  and  sulphur,  according  to  reported  analyses. 

Up  to  L890  some  .v.*  coal  mines  had  been  opened  up  in  the  State  of 
Puebla,  but  poor  facilities  for  transportation,  difficulties  encountered 
in  mining,  and  the  rather  poor  quality  of  the  coal  conspired  to  prevent 
great  activity  being  shown,  despite  the  desire  of  the  State  government 
to  foster  and  advance  the  industry. 

It  i>  reported  that  during  the  fall  of  L897  fairly  good  coal  fields  had 
been  discovered  near  Colombia,  State  of  Nuevo  Leon,  and  that  they 
were  to  be  worked,  a  concession  having  been  already  requested  to 
build  a  short  railway  line  to  the  Gelds. 

According  to  Mexican  official  publications  there  are  in  the  State  of 
Oaxaca  several  known  deposits  of  coal,  which  is  also  to  be  found  in  the 
State-  of  Veracruz,  Puebla,  Hidalgo,  Michoacan,  Tlaxcala,  Sonora, 
Tamaulipas,  Chihuahua,  Morelos,  Quer6taro,  Jalisco,  and  Coahuila. 
Peat  i-  found  in  Sonora.  Tamaulipas,  Veracruz,  Puebla.  and  elsewhere. 
It  abounds  on  the  banks  of  the  Tololotlan  River  near  Lake  Chapala. 
and  in  the  valley  of  Mexico.  Lignite,  or  brown  coal,  is  found  in 
Puebla.  Tlaxcala.  Veracruz,  Hidalgo,  Chihuahua.  Guerrero,  Morelos, 
Queretaro.  Jalisco,  ami  Coahuila. 

Petroleum  and  asphaltum.  The  territory  of  Mexico  abounds  in 
deposits  of  asphaltum  and  Liquid  petroleum.  These  deposits  have  not 
been,  until  recently,  worked  to  any  <rreat  extent. 

The  entire  Atlantic  coast  of  the  country  shows  traces  of  oil  and 
asphaltum.  which  there  goes  by  the  name  of  chapapote.     In  the  north- 


MINING    LAWS.  235 

ern  part  of  the  Republic,  between  the  foothills  and  the  coast,  there 
exist  springs  and  deposits  of  the  substances  named. 

The  deposits  of  asphaltum  in  the  vicinitj*  of  Tuxpam  and  Tampico 
are  excellent  in  quality,  and  from  them  the  merchants  of  the  coast  have 
shipped,  at  various  times,  small  quantities  to  the  United  States  and 
Europe.  This  asphalt  may  be  easil}7  broken  into  blocks  and  floated 
down  the  river  to  the  seacoast,  where  it  may  be  collected  and  laden  on 
ships.  At  Huasteca  and  on  Lake  Chapala,  as  well  as  on  the  Cham- 
payan  Lagoon  in  Tamaulipas,  asphalt  is  to  be  found. 

Crude  petroleum  springs  running  freely  are  to  be  found  on  the  banks 
of  several  rivers,  the  oil  flowing  into  these  and  covering  their  surface 
for  some  distance.  Samples  of  this  oil  have  been  assayed  in  Penns}Tl- 
vania,  and  are  reported  to  be  of  a  quality  equal  to  the  crude  product 
of  that  State.  Late  in  1896  the  United  States  consul  at  Matamoros 
reported  to  the  Department  of  State"  the  discovery,  about  300  miles 
from  his  post,  of  "the  richest  asphalt  held  known,"  where  there  were 
"about  20  wells  which  have  a  continuous  flow  of  mineral  tar,  as  the 
analysis  (made  at  the  University  of  Texas)  call  it.  The  ground  for 
over  20  miles  square  is  covered  with  asphalt  deposits.  The  nearby 
streams  have  the  whole  year  round  a  fatty,  oily  substance  flowing 
into  them  from  the  surrounding  mountains,  making  the  water  unfit  to 
drink.  From  all  indications  there  must  be  a  large  deposit  of  petroleum 
and  coal  under  this  asphalt  field." 

Mineral  oils  and  petroleum  have  been  found  in  many  other  localities, 
principally  in  the  Villa  de  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  Lake  Chapala,  Puerto 
Angel,  and  Pochutla,  in  the  State  of  Oaxaca;  in  Otzumatlan,  Michoa- 
can,  and  in  several  other  places. 

Under  date  of  June  15,  1898,  a  concession  was  granted  to  a  London 
firm  by  the  Mexican  Government  for  the  establishment  of  the  indus- 
try of  petroleum  extraction,  according  to  the  provisions  of  which  the 
said  grant  was  to  hold  for  a  period  of  ten  years. 

Petroleum  seems  to  have  been  found  in  Tehuantepec.  The  deposit 
is  situated  about  midway  on  the  line  of  the  railway  from  Coatzacoalcos 
to  Salina  Cruz.  The  owners  of  the  land  have  opened  a  provisional 
well  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  as  large  a  quantity  of  the  oil  as  pos- 
sible, and  called  an  expert  to  analyze  the  product.  His  report  was 
favorable,  and  the  owners  of  the  land  have  ordered  the  necessaiy 
machinery  for  the  purpose  of  beginning  the  extraction  and  refining  of 
the  petroleum  as  soon  as  possible. 

New  mines  and  mineral  deposits  are  being  constantly  found  in  all  of 
the  mining  sections  of  the  country. 

MINING   LEGISLATION. 

Mining  legislation  in  Mexico  has  been  undergoing  a  logical  and 
radical  evolution  since  1881.     In  the  colonial  period  from  1521  to  1821 

«  United  States  Consular  Reports,  Vol.  LII,  p.  619. 


236  mexioo. 

the  primitive  mining  Legislation  of  NVw  Spain  consisted  of  several 
isolated  rulings.  One  of  the  most  remarkable  was  thai  issued  by 
( lharles  1 1,  and  later  confirmed  by  Phillip  II.  establishing  the  equality 
of  rights  between  the  natives  and  the  Spaniards.  During  the  eleven 
years  <>!'  the  war  of  independence,  terminating  in  1821,  the  mining 
industry  was  partially  paralyzed.  ^\'  1 1< ■  i l  national  autonomy  was  finally 
established  all  minerals  were  declared  to  belong  to  the  nation,  but  tbe 
ancient  rulings  continued  in  force  with  all  their  inconveniences,  taxes 
were  increased,  and  consequently  mining  developed  on  even  a  smaller 
scale  than  in  the  colonial  period.  jWhen  tbe  Federal  Republic  was 
established  in  ls-~>7  the  definite  political  constitution  was  formed,  and 
according  to  it  each  State  could  legislate  in  regard  to  mining  freely 
and  independently  of  each  other.  This  state  of  affairs  was  discoura- 
ging and  consequently  the  working  of  the  mines  ceased  to  a  great 
extent. 

A  few  years  prior  to  L884  the  country  began  to  experience  trouble 
through  the  fall  of  silver,  and  on  December  15,  L883,  ( longress  author- 
ized the  Executive  to  issue  a  mining  code  for  the  Republic.  This 
code  was  promulgated  in  L884,  and  although  it  was  based  upon  the 
principle  of  the  former  rulings,  still  it  gave  greater  freedom  to  the 
working  of  the  mines.  In  1887  the  mining  industry  felt  the  effect  of 
the  monetary  situation  above  referred  to  and  the  law  of  June  6  of 
that  year  was  enacted,  exempting  iron,  quicksilver,  and  coal  mines 
from  taxation,  certain  necessary  articles  were  relieved  of  import 
duties,  and  the  Executive  was  authorized  to  execute  special  contracts. 
The  monetary  crisis  having  become  acute,  the  law  of  June  4.  L892, 
was  enacted  with  a  view  of  facilitating  the  working  and  increasing 
and  cheapening  the  production  of  the  silver  mines.  This  law  is  -till 
in  force. 

The  following  tattle  shows  the  relative  exportation  and  production 
of  ores,  bullion,  and  Mexican  coin  during  the  several  periods: 

Legislation  <>f  tli.' stat.-  (fr 1880-81  to  1884-85) $126,771,390 

Miningcode,  L884  (1885to  1889-90) 167,993,780 

Law  of  L892  in  force  (1893  to  1901-2) 556, 992',  617 

Mining  law.  The  mining  law  now  in  force  in  Mexico  was  promul- 
gated on  June  4.   ls'.<i'.      Its  leading  provisions  are  a-  follow-: 

A  concession  is  required  for  working  the  mineral  substances  here 
enumerated:  Gold,  platinum,  silver,  quicksilver,  iron  (except  marsh 
ores,  loose  surface  ores,  and  ochers  worked  as  coloring  matter),  lead. 
copper,  tin  (except  float  tin),  zinc,  antimony,  nickel,  cobalt,  manganese, 
bismuth,  and  arsenic,  either  in  their  native  state  or  mineralized.  Also 
precious  -tones,  rock  salt,  and  sulphur. 

Combustible  minerals,  mineral  oils  and  waters,  rocks  on  the  land, 
either  separately  or  as  building  or  ornamental  materials;  earths,  sand, 
and  clays  of  all  kinds,  and  mineral  substances  not  elsewhere  specified 


MINING    LAWS.  237 

may  be  freely  worked  by  the  owner  of  the  ground  where  they  exist 
without  a  special  concession  in  any  case.  Surface  or  subterranean 
excavations  that  the  working  of  any  of  these  substances  may  require 
are  subject  to  the  regulations  relating  to  the  order  and  safety  of 
mines. 

Payment  of  the  Federal  property  tax,  prescribed  by  the  law  relating 
thereto,  will  convey  the  fee  title  to  all  mining  property  legally  acquired 
under  this  law.  Mining  property,  except  in  the  case  of  placers  or 
surface  deposits,  is  understood  to  refer  solely  to  the  underground 
work  and  not  to  the  surface,  which  remains  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
its  owner,  save  such  parts  thereof  as  may  de  needed  by  the  miner, 
relating  to  which  the  law  makes  sundry  provisions. 

A  mine  can  not  be  worked  beyond  its  prescribed  boundaries,  save 
when  the  adjacent  ground  is  unoccupied,  and  then  only  conformably 
to  the  regulations  and  after  petitioning  for  an  enlargement  of  the  con- 
cession. In  order  to  occupy  another's  land  his  permission  is  indispen- 
sably necessary,  except  in  the  case  of  easements. 

Water  brought  to  the  surface  by  reason  of  underground  work  shall 
belong  to  the  mine  owner;  but  the  general  provisions  of  law  must  be 
observed  with  respect  to  the  rights  of  the  owners  of  the  land  over 
which  the  same  may  flow. 

Mining  operations  being  deemed  of  public  utility,  in  case  of  failure 
to  agree  condemnation  proceedings  may  be  resorted  to  for  the  acquire- 
ment of  the  necessary  ground. 

Should  efforts  on  the  part  of  mine  concessionaires  to  make  arrange- 
ments with  landowners  looking  to  the  occupancy  of  the  necessary  por-. 
tion  of  ground  to  conduct  the  working  of  placers  or  surface  deposits 
or  to  construct  buildings  and  other  mine  appurtenances  fail,  condem- 
nation proceedings  must  be  instituted  before  the  local  court  of  the  first 
instance,  where  the  proceedings  shall  be  as  follows: 

Each  party  shall  name  an  appraiser,  who  shall,  within  eight  days, 
reckoned  from  the  date  of  appointment,  present  his  respective  report. 
In  case  of  disagreement  the  court  shall  appoint  an  umpire,  who  shall 
also  tile  his  report  within  eight  days  after  his  appointment.  Within 
the  next  ensuing  eight  days  the  court,  after  considering  the  opinions 
of  the  appraisers  and  the  evidence  submitted  by  the  parties,  shall 
determine  the  extent  of  ground  to  be  occupied  and  the  amount  of 
indemnity  to  be  paid.     From  this  decision  no  appeal  lies. 

Should  the  owner  of  the  land  fail  to  name  his  appraiser  within  eight 
days  after  notice  from  the  court,  the  latter  shall  on  its  own  motion, 
appoint  one  to  represent  the  owner's  interests. 

Should  the  ownership  of  the  property  to  be  occupied  be  uncertain 
or  doubtful,  the  court  shall  set  as  the  amount  of  indemnity  such  sum 
as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  appraiser  appointed  by  the  grantee  of 
the  mine  and  the  one  designated  by  the  court  to  represent  the  legal 


238  Mexico. 

owner,  the  sum  being  deposited  to  be  delivered  to  the  party  entitled 
thereto. 

The  appraisers  shall  base  their  valuations  upon  the  value  <>t'  the  land. 
the  injuries  immediately  accruing  to  it,  and  the  easements  attachable 

thereto. 

Mining  properties  and  adjoining  lands  shad  enjoy  and  sutler,  as  tin- 
ease  may  be,  the  easements  of  way.  water  rights,  drainage,  and  venti- 
lation, the  courts  being  guided  in  the  matter  of  adjudication  and  indem- 
nity by  the  lex  loci,  where  the  same  does  not  conflicl  with  the  rules 
which  are  laid  down  in  this  law. 

Every  inhabitant  of  the  Republic  may  freely  explore  the  national 
territory  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  mineral  deposits,  hut  should 
excavations  he  made  in  lieu  of  borings,  the  former  shall  not  exceed  10 
Dieters  in  length  or  depth.  No  permit  is  necessary,  hut  previous  notice 
mii-t  he  given  to  the  proper  authority. 

No  prospecting  may  be  done  on  private  property  without  leave  of 
the  owner  or  his  representative.  In  ease  permission  is  not  obtainable, 
it  may  he  asked  of  the  proper  executive  officer,  who  may  grant  the 
same  pursuant  to  the  regulations,  bond  being  previously  furnished  by 
the  prospector  to  answer  for  all  damages,  such  bond  to  be  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  officer  after  hearing  the  owner  of  the  land  or  his  repre- 
sentative. 

No  prospecting  may  be  carried  on  within  private  buildings  or  their 
appurtenances  except  by  leave  of  the  owner;  neither  shall  mining 
explorations  be  conducted  within  the  limits  of  towns  or  cities,  nor 
within  or  in  the  neighborhood  of  public  buildings  and  fortifications. 

The  unit  of  concession,  or  mining  claim,  shall  hereafter  consist  of  a 
prismatic  body  of  indefinite  depth,  forming  on  the  surface  a  horizontal 
square  having  side-  LOO  meters  in  length,  and  bounded  below  the  sur- 
face by  the  four  corresponding  vertical  planes. 

The  mining  claim  is  indivisible  in  all  contract-  affecting  mining 
grants  or  ownership  thereof. 

Unless  the  original  prospector  shall  petition  therefor  within  three 
months,  mining  grants  shall  be  made  to  the  first  applicant  and  shall 
embrace,  wherever  there  is  sufficient  unoccupied  ground,  the  number 
of  claims  petitioned  by  the  interested  party,  who  should  always  clearly 
specify,  in  accordance  with  the  regulations,  the  actual  location  of  the 
claims  constituting  his  grant. 

Should  a  space  less  than  the  unit  of  concession  lie  between  the  newly 
granted  claims  and  others  previously  conveyed,  such  space  shall  also 
be  granted  in  fee  to  the  first  applicant. 

Applications  for  mining  grants  should  be  tiled  with  the  special  agents 
appointed  in  the  States, Territories,  and  Federal  District  hy  the  Depart- 
ment of  Promotion.  These  agents  are  authorized  to  collect  the  fees 
prescribed  in  the  Department  schedule. 


MINING    LAWS.  239 

The  agents  shall  receive  the  applications,  immediately  recording  the 
day  and  hour  of  tiling.  The}'  shall  then  publish  the  application,  cause 
the  claims  to  be  surveyed  by  the  engineer  or  expert  by  them  desig- 
nated, and  should  no  objection  be  filed,  they  shall  forward  a  copy  of 
the  record  and  plan  to  the  Department  of  Promotion  for  approval  and 
issuance  of  the  patent. 

The  record  having  been  approved  and  the  patent  issued,  the  grantee 
enters  at  once  upon  the  mining  claims  without  further  formality. 

The  agents  are  prohibited  from  suspending  the  record  in  its  regular 
course  for  any  reason  whatever,  except  in  the  event  of  objection;  and 
the  periods  established  by  the  regulations  having  expired,  they  are 
bound  to  transmit  at  once  a  copy  of  the  record,  in  whatever  stage  it 
may  be,  to  the  department,  so  that,  after  examination,  it  may  dismiss 
the  application  for  want  of  diligence  should  it  so  find,  or  hold  the  agent 
responsible  should  the  delay  be  attributable  to  him.  Negligent  appli- 
cants can  not  twice  solicit  the  same  grant. 

Should  objection  to  the  granting  of  an  application  or  to  the  proper 
surveys  be  filed  by  the  owner  of  the  land,  alleging  the  nonexistence  of 
the  deposit,  the  agent  shall  dismiss  the  objection  should  there  be  any 
indications  of  a  deposit  on  the  land  or  any  boring  or  prospecting  work 
on  said  deposit. 

In  case  no  such  indications,  borings,  or  works  exist,  proceedings 
similar  to  those  hereinbefore  mentioned  shall  be  instituted,  the  court 
deciding  whether  or  not  the  grant  shall  be  made,  his  decision  being 
appealable  in  either  case.  The  judgment  is  to  be  communicated  to  the 
Department  of  Promotion. 

The  agents  shall  suspend  proceedings  in  case  an  objection  is  filed,  and 
forward  the  record  to  the  local  court  of  the  first  instance  for  the  insti- 
tution of  the  proper  judicial  inquiry.  The  court  shall  make  known  its 
decision  to  the  Department  of  Promotion. 

Working  of  mineral  substances,  either  conveyable  pursuant  to  this 
law  or  belonging  to  the  owner  of  the  surface  ground,  is  subject  to  the 
regulations;  but,  by  observing  these,  mine  owners  shall  be  allowed  full 
liberty  of  action  to  work  as  may  seem  best  to  them,  pushing,  delaying, 
or  suspending  for  a  greater  or  less  time  their  work,  employing  therein 
the  number  of  laborers  they  may  see  fit  and  wherever  ma}-  best  serve 
their  purpose.  Mine  owners,  however,  shall  be  liable  for  accidents 
that  may  occur  in  the  mines  due  to  poor  workmanship,  and  to  indem- 
nify the  damages  occasioned  other  property  through  lack  of  drainage 
or  through  any  other  cause  affecting  the  interests  of  others. 

When,  in  order  to  push  the  works  of  a  mine  in  any  locality,  drain- 
age tunnels  may  become  necessary,  the  execution  of  such  works  shall 
be  the  subject  of  contract  between  the  parties  interested. 

Associations  or  companies  formed  to  operate  mines  shall  be  governed 
bv  the  commercial  code. 


240  MIX  I  en. 

The  contract  !'<>r  advances  {</,  >//•;<>).  so  called,  up  to  this  time,  shall 
hereafter  be  considered  either  a>  a  partnership  -in  which  case  it  shall 
be  governed  by  the  commercial  code— or  a  mortgage.  A  mining 
mortgage  may  be  freely  constituted  in  accordance  with  the  civil  code 
of  the  Federal  District,  bearing  in  mind  the  indivisibility  of  the  claim 
hereinbefore  mentioned,  and.  as  regards  recording,  observing  the  pro- 
visions of  the  commercial  code,  to  which  end  a  special  hook  shall  be 
kept  for  mining  operations.  The  mortgagee  shall,  always  have  the 
righl  to  pay  the  Federal  tax  hereinbefore  mentioned,  and  shall  thereby 
acquire  a  preferred  right  with  respect  to  the  owner  of  the  mine  and 
his  own  mortgage. 

Mortgages  may  he  divided  into  bonds,  assignable  or  payable  to 
bearer,  either  by  the  terms  of  the  original  mortgage  di-rd  or  by  sub- 
sequent instrument.  In  eveiy  case  it  shall  contain  provisions  consti- 
tuting a  common  representative  of  the  bondholders.  These  provisions, 
as  well  as  those  relating  to  the  aggregate  of  the  debt,  the  conditions 
thereof,  and  of  the  security,  shall  be  printed  in  the  bonds. 

Bondholders  may  only  proceed  against  the  mortgagor  or  the  mort- 
gaged property  through  the  common  representative,  whose  acts  with 
respect  to  said  right  shall  be  binding  on  all. 

Failure  to  pay  the  property  tax.  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  and 
procedure  under  the  law  establishing  the  same,  shall  be.  from  and 
after  the  date  hereof,  the  sole  cause  for  forfeiture  of  mining  property, 
which  property  so  forfeited  shall  be  free  of  all  burdens  and  may  be 
granted  to  tin1  first  applicant. 

All  matters  relative  to  the  establishment  and  working  of  smelting 
and  reduction  works  and  assay  offices  shall  be  governed  by  the  general 
laws,  and  in  so  far  as  regards  taxation  by  the  law  of  June  ('».  1887. 

Parts  of  tunnels  located  outside  of  claims,  when  intended  solely  for 
ventilation,  drainage,  and  extraction  of  metals  not  taken  from  the  said 
tunnels,  are  exempted  from  taxation. 

Denouncements  of  mines  or  surplus  ground  in  the  course  of  adjudi- 
cation when  this  law  goes  into  effect  shall  be  decided  in  accordance 
therewith. 

Surplus  ground  and  vacant  spaces  between  adjoining  or  abutting 
mining  properties  not  denounced  when  this  law  goes  into  effect  shall 
belong  and  be  granted  to  the  first  applicant. 

The  law  went  into  effect  on  the  1st  of  July,  1892. 

MIXING    TAXES. 

On  June  6,  1892,  the  President  promulgated,  through  the  Finance 
Department,  a  mining-tax  law,  the  principal  provisions  of  which  are 
as  follows: 

Pursuant  to  the  new  mining  law,  a  Federal  mining-property  tax  is 


MINING    TAXES.  241 

established.  It  is  dual  in  its  application — one  to  be  paid  but  once  in 
stamps  to  be  affixed  to  every  title  or  patent,  and  the  other  to  be  paid 
annually  for  each  claim  which  a  grant  covers.  Every  fraction  of  a 
claim  exceeding  the  half  of  a  full  claim  shall  pay  the  same  as  the 
latter.     Smaller  fractions  are  exempt. 

The  stamps  shall  be  of  the  denomination  of  $10.  and  are  to  be 
affixed  to  the  title  or  patent  at  the  rate  of  one  stamp  for  every  claim 
of  10,000  square  meters.     Fractions  are  to  be  paid  for  as  above. 

Every  mine  owner  or  occupant  is  bound  to  pa}7  the  sum  of  $10  per 
year  for  every  claim  composing  his  grant. 

This  annual  tax  is  to  be  paid  quarterly  in  advance,  payment  to  be 
made  during  the  first  month  of  the  quarter,  without  notice. 

Any  concealment  of  the  number  of  claims  owned  shall  be  punished 
with  a  fine  in  double  the  amount  of  the  stamps  the  patent  or  title 
should  bear  for  the  claim  concealed;  and  further,  a  fine  in  double  the 
amount  of  the  annual  tax  for  the  whole  if  it  shall  not  have  been  paid, 
without  prejudice  to  civil  and  criminal  liability. 

Default  in  the  payment  of  the  annual  tax  within  the  first  month  of 
the  quarter  will  subject  the  mine  owner  to  a  fine  equal  to  50  per  cent 
of  the  tax,  if  paid  during  the  second  month.  Should  payment  be 
deferred  until  the  third  month,  the  fine  shall  be  equal  to  the  full  amount 
of  the  tax.  Upon  the  expiration  of  this  term  without  payment  of  the 
tax  and  accumulated  fines  the  mine  is  forfeited  without  appeal. 

Upon  the  sale  of  a  mine  the  grantor  shall  give  notice  of  the  same  for 
record,  and  the  deed  shall  have  affixed  the  stamps  required  by  the  law. 

In  case  any  person  or  company  shall  find  it  inadvisable  to  continue 
the  working  of  a  mine  or  mines,  notice  must  be  sent  to  the  proper 
office  of  the  Treasury  Department  in  order  to  settle  the  tax  up  to  the 
date  of  notice  and  make  the  necessary  entry  in  the  record. 

On  July  1,  1897,  another  mining-tax  law  went  into  effect.  Its  pro- 
visions are  as  follows: 

Art.  1.  Silver  and  gold  are  subject,  in  accordance  with  the  pro- 
visions of  this  law,  to  the  payment  of  the  following  taxes  and  charges: 

I.  Interior  stamp  tax,  at  the  rate  of  3  per  cent  on  the  value  of  said 
metals. 

II.  Coinage  charges,  at  the  rate  of  2  per  cent  on  the  value  of  the 
same  metals. 

III.  Assaying  charges,  in  conformity  with  the  tariff  which  the 
Department  of  the  Treasury  may  publish. 

IV.  Charges  for  smelting,  refining,  and  separating  in  accordance 
with  the  respective  tariffs  which  ma}r  be  published  by  the  same 
Department. 

Art.  2.  In  order  to  liquidate  the  stamp  tax  and  coinage  charges,  the 
basis  for  estimating  the  value  of  the  precious  metals  shall  be  the  value 
which  the  monetary  laws  of  the  countiy  assign  to  the  said  metals,  i.e., 
509a— 04 16 


242  kexioo. 

the  kilogram  <>f  silver  being  ai  present  140.915  and  the  kilogram  of 
gold  $675. 1 L6. 

Akt.  :;.  The  cost  of  the  respective  operations  will  be  taken  into 
account  iii  connection  with  the  tariff  which  clauses  III  am!  IV  of 
article  1  establish  tor  the  collection  of  the  charges. 

Akt.  i.  Not  merely  gold  and  silver  in  mixed  bars,  or  consisting  of 
one  of  these  metals,  but  also  sulphides  of  silver,  argentiferous  copper 
and  lead,  mineral  in  a  natural  state,  or  concentrated,  or  which  may 
have  been  to  a  certain  extent  treated,  and  generally  any  other  oie  or 
substance  which  contains  silver  or  gold,  are  subject  to  the  payment  of 
the  taxes  and  charges  established  by  article  1. 

Ai:t.  .'>.  The  stamp  tax  and  coinage  and  assay  charges  shall  be  paid 
in  all  cases,  whether  it  he  that  the  substance  is  presented  for  coinage 
or  for  exportation.  The  smelting  charge  shall  only  be  collected  on 
the  substances  which  are  not  homogeneous  and  therefore  require  to  he 
smelted  in  order  to  effect  the  assay  valuation  and  liquidation  of  same: 
and  the  charges  for  refining  and  separating  .-.hall  only  apply  to  the 
substances  intended  for  coinage. 

Foreign  money  is  not  liable  to  the  burdens  imposed  by  this  law.  but 
it  shall  be  subject  when  introduced  to  a  mint — for  purposes  of  recoin- 
age — to  the  payment  of  the  coinage  charges,  and  also  in  proper  cases 
to  the  charges  established  in  sections  III  and  IV  of  said  article. 

Akt.  •'-.  The  payment  of  the  respective  taxes  and  charges  shall  be 
made  at  the  mints  or  in  the  special  assaying  offices,  whether  the  metal- 
be  introduced  for  coinage  or  for  the  purpose  of  exportation,  and  in 
each  case  the  requisites  established  by  the  regulation-  must  be  com- 
plied with. 

The  taxpayers  who  can  not  prove  that  they  have  paid  the  taxes  in 
the  establishments  mentioned,  and  who  may  wish  to  ship  gold  or  silver, 
or  any  substance  which  contains  these  metals,  to  a  foreign  country, 
shall  be  allowed  to  make  the  payment  at  the  custom-houses  upon  the 
terms  and  requirements  of  the  -aid  Regulations. 

Akt.  7.  The  payment  shall  be  made  in  current  money  of  Mexican 
coinage,  but  as  regards  the  stamp  tax  the  collecting  offices  shall  affix 
to  and  cancel  on  the  respective  documents  which  they  shall  deliver  to 
the  taxpayers  the  corresponding  -tamp  for  the  amount  of  -aid  tax. 
These  documents  shall  he  made  out  in  the  form  which  the  regulation- 
shall  provide,  specifying  the  value  of  the  metal  and  the  amount  of  the 
tax  and  charges. 

Akt.  N.  When  the  minerals  destined  for  a  foreign  country  come 
from  any  State  in  which  they  have  been  taxed  in  conformity  with  the 
law  of  the  6th  June,  1887,  the  coinage  charges  and  -tamp  tax  may  tie 
liquidated,  taking  as  a  basis — always  provided  that  the  Department  of 
the  Treasury  has  so  authorized — the  value  which  has  been  given  to  the 
minerals  in  the  assaying  office  or  in  that  of  the  collector  of  taxes. 


MINING    TAXES.  243 

Art.  9.  The  metallurgical  establishments,  which  by  express  stipula- 
tion in  force  at  the  date  of  this  law  enjoy  the  privilege,  shall  continue 
to  enjoy  the  privilege  of  exemption  from  the  payment  of  the  coinage 
tax  upon  the  silver  which  they  may  export  direct,  provided  always 
that  the  proportion  of  silver  in  the  argentiferous  leads  does  not  exceed 
seven  one-thousandths  and  that  of  the  argentiferous  copper  twenty 
one-thousandths;  but  if  the  proportion  of  silver  exceeds  these  limits, 
the  said  establishments  shall  pa}r  the  coinage  tax  upon  the  excess. 
This  exemption  applies  only  to  those  products  which  originally  pro- 
ceed from  the  establishments  enjoying  the  franchise,  and  not  to  those 
products  purchased  from  other  concerns. 

Art.  10.  The  coinage  and  stamp  tax  on  gold,  according  to  the  law, 
shall  be  estimated  upon  the  intrinsic  value  of  the  precious  metal  con- 
tained in  the  minerals  which  are  exported,  with  only  such  exceptions 
as  are  contained  in  the  following  articles. 

Art.  11.  The  mineral  substances  which  contain  less  than  250  grams 
of  silver  or  10  grams  of  gold  per  ton  are  exempted  from  the  payment 
of  the  tax  and  charges  imposed  by  this  law,  the  proportion  between  the 
one  and  the  other  limit  to  be  taken  into  account  in  case  of  a  combina- 
tion of  both  metals. 

Art.  12.  The  mineral  substances  of  gold  or  of  silver  which  may  be 
exported  in  their.natural  state,  or  after  mechanical  concentration,  shall 
be  liable  to  the  coinage  charge  and  also  the  stamp  tax  upon  the  gold 
and  silver  which  they  contain,  10  per  cent  being  deducted. 

Art.  13.  Should  the  Department  of  the  Treasury  see  proper  it  may 
grant  special  concessions  to  the  concerns  which  are  in  the  habit  of 
exporting  ores  in  large  quantities,  provided  that  such  concerns  satis- 
factorily prove  by  means  of  their  books  and  other  documents  the  weight 
and  proportion  of  metal  of  the  ores  which  they  wish  to  export,  and  that 
they  admit,  for  this  purpose,  the  unconditional  investigation  of  the 
Treasury  agents.  This  concession  may  be  extended  to  arranging  with 
the  exporters  for  the  payment  of  a  fixed  sum  as  remuneration  of  the 
Government  for  the  cost  of  the  assay  and  inspection  of  said  mineral 
substances;  but  in  no  case  shall  it  allow  of  an  exemption  from  or  rebate 
on  the  stamp  tax  and  coinage  charges  established  b}'  this  law. 

Art.  11.  The  Regulations  shall  fix  the  penalties  which  violators  of 
this  law  shall  incur  and  the  mode  of  making  the  same  effective,  placing 
clandestine  exportation  on  a  level  with  contraband,  and  punishing  it 
with  the  penalties  which  for  this  offense  are  imposed  by  the  general 
custom-house  ordinances  and  other  relative  laws. 

Art.  15.  The  producers  of  silver  which  contains  gold  are  at  liberty 
to  separate  the  same  in  their  own  private  establishments;  and  in  case 
that  they  introduce  silver  mixed  (with  other  metal)  to  any  Federal 
Government  office,  they  shall  have  the  right  to  separate  the  gold  to  the 
extent  that  they  may  desire,  paying  the  respective  tax  or  charge  per 


1244  MEXICO. 

kilogram,  in  accordance  with  the  tariff.  If  the  producers  do  not  fix  the 
extent,  the  separation  shall  be  made  on  their  account,  when  the  pro- 
portion of  gold  is  equal  to  or  greater  than  two  one-thousandths. 

ART.  lt>.  The  rates  fixed  in  the  general  stamp  law  for  the  •'accounts" 
issued  by  the  mints  and  for  the  "metals  of  gold  and  silver"  are 
repealed:  the  laws  and  provisions  at  present  existing  with  reference 
to  the  Federal   taxes  and  charges  on  gold  and  silver  are  also  repealed. 

The  State-  can  continue  collecting  the  local  taxes  authorized  by  the 
law  of  the  6th  dune.  L887,  which  shall  he  Liable  to  the  Federal  contri- 
bution mentioned  in  the  stamp  law. 

The  total  product  of  mining  taxi'-  and  other  dues  for  the  fiscal  year 
1901-2,  amounted  to  $3,847,375.26,  a-  shown  in  the  following  figures 
from  Mexican  official  sources: 

Metals  for  coining: 

Mint  (stamp,  mint,  and  other  dues) $1,035,469.68 

Federal  assay  offices  (stamp,  mint,  and  cither  dues) 439,  7~t>.  7*i 

1,  475, 196.  44 
Metals  for  export: 

Mint  charges 268, 113.  61 

Federal  assay  charges 1,  270, 151 .  97 

Custom  dues 833,913.24 

2,372,178.82 


CHAPTER  X. 

INDUSTRIES    AND    MANUFACTURES. 

Mexico  is  not  a  manufacturing  country.  Such  articles  as  the  mass 
of  the  people  require  are,  however,  generally  produced  in  sufficient 
quantities  to  meet  the  demand.  She  is,  since  the  great  depreciation 
of  silver,  beginning  to  learn  that  it  is  cheaper  to  make  than  to  bu}T, 
and  within  the  past  three  or  four  years  very  large  amounts  of  capital 
have  been  invested  in  manufactories  and  industries.  Mexico  will 
hardly  become,  for  very  many  years  at  least,  a  manufacturer  of  articles 
beyond  those  of  which  she  produces  the  raw  materials;  but  this  would 
furnish  a  held  for  the  investment  of  almost  limitless  capital,  for  hardly 
any  nation  on  earth  furnishes  raw  materials  in  so  great  abundance. 
Manufactures  will  spring  up  with  the  increased  production  of  raw 
materials,  but  the  country's  agricultural  resources  are  so  great  it  is 
destined  to  become,  still  more  than  at  present,  a  great  exporter  of  raw 
material.  The  natural  products  of  the  soil  are  so  varied,  so  certain, 
and  so  sure  of  good  markets,  that  capital  is  diverted  to  agricultural 
and  mineral  development  rather  than  into  manufacturing  enterpises 
on  a  large  scale. 

The  Indian,  who  forms  the  largest  portion  of  the  laboring  popula- 
tion, is  not  progressive.  He  is  loth  to  lay  aside  the  rude  implements 
of  his  forefathers  and  take  up  methods  of  modern  invention  and 
advancement.  His  needs  are  few,  and  he  is  not  inspired  with  a  desire 
to  improve  his  condition.  Having  inherited  nothing  but  tradition  and 
the  meager  physical  means  to  provide  for  his  sustenance,  he  zealousl}7 
guards  the  one  and  utilizes  the  other  to  the  same  extent  as  his  forebears, 
leaving  his  children  onhr  what  he  himself  received.  The  three  centu- 
ries of  Spanish  domination  have  left  their  imprint  upon  his  character, 
and  everything  he  does  is  executed  in  a  perfunctory  manner.  He 
goes  to  his  daily  toil  earty  and  returns  to  his  frugal  meal  and  rest  late. 
Ambition  within  him  is  dead.  He  is  satisfied  with  his  lot  and  cares  little 
what  the  morrow  may  bring  forth.  But  the  Indian  is  losing  ground. 
The  white  races  are  surpassing  him,  and  with  increasing  transporta- 
tion facilities,  a  progressive  government  fostering  industrial  interests, 
the  disappearance  of  internecine  strife,  the  influx  of  foreign  capital 
and  enterprising  men,  his  successors  will,  in  the  not  very  distant 
future,  either  join  the  ranks  of  the  progressive  people,  as  in  the  thickly 

245 


24C>  MEXICO. 

populated  portions  of  the  Republic  they  have  already  begun  t«>  <1«>.  or 
die  off,  to  be  replaced  l>y  a  more  energetic  and  ambitious  class. 

Time  was  when  Mexico  was  regarded  by  Datives  and  foreigners  as 
a  land  of  mineral  wealth  only,  and  her  many  other  natural  resources 
writ' hut  little  noticed  or  developed.  The  building  of  great  railway 
systems,  affording  better  means  of  communication,  has,  however, 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  world  at  large  the  great  possibilities  for 
wealth  earning  which  the  country  affords. 

Brantz  Mayer,0  writing  of  Mexico  and  a  portion  of  the  territoiT  of 
thai  country  which  but  a  few  years  before  had  been  annexed  to  the 
United  States,  said: 

"California  has  at  least  illustrated  one  great  moral  truth  which 
the  avaricious  world  required  to  be  taught.  When  men  were  starv- 
ing, though  weighed  down  with  gold — when  ail  the  necessaries  of  life 
rose  to  twice,  thrice,  tenfold,  and  even  fifty  or  a  hundred  times  their 
value  in  the  Atlantic  States  that  distant  province  demonstrated  the 
intrinsic  worthlessness  of  the  coveted  ore  and  the  permanent  value  of 
everything  produced  by  genuine  industry  and  labor." 

Spurred  on  to  a  recognition  of  this  truth  by  exchange,  which  has 
acted  as  a  protective  tariff,  the  country,  which  knew  practically  ik till- 
ing but  mines,  began,  a  few  years  since,  to  manufacture,  and  to-day 
the  whistle  of  the  mill  and  the  sound  of  the  hammer  are  beginning  to 
be  heard  throughout  the  land.  Many  articles  which  five  or  six  years 
ago  brought  the  Government  millions  in  duties  are  now  not  imported, 
the  people  having  gone  into  the  manufacture  of  these  articles,  which 
thus  produce  revenue  to  the  Government  through  other  channels  at 
the  same  time  that  they  add  to  the  wealth  of  the  people. 

Cotton  mills. — The  principal  manufacturing  industry  of  the  Republic 
is  the  making  of  cotton  cloth,  mostly  manta,  a  coarse,  unbleached  cot- 
ton fabric.  It  has  been  estimated  that  the  mills  of  the  country  con- 
sume annually  about  40, 000, (too  pounds  of  cotton,  quite  a  large  portion 
of  which  is  imported  from  the  United  States.  The  industry  gives 
work  and  support  in  the  field  and  mills  to  more  than  80,000  families. 
A-  a  rule  the  mills  are  provided  with  old  style  machinery,  but  recently 
a  number  of  them  have  set  up  American  and  English  machinery  of 
modern  type.  The  ordinary  cotton  cloth  {intuitu),  which  is  about  the 
only  material  for  clothing  used  by  two-thirds  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country,  is  usually  made  up  in  pieces  of  30  yards  4  inches  in  length  by 
34.  L2  inches  in  width.     The  price  of  the  piece  varies  from  $2.88  to  &4. 

In  the  year  ls;»5-96  there  were  100  cotton  and  print  mills  in  the 
country;  in  1897  they  had  increased  to  111,  and  the  development  of 
this  industry  since  then  is  shown  in  the  following  table: 

"Mexico,  Aztec,  Spanish,  and  Republican,  1852. 


COTTON    MANUFACTURE. 


247 


Factories. 

Spindles. 

Looms. 

Printing 

Year. 

Working. 

Idle. 

Old  style. 

Modern. 

Old  style. 

Modern. 

chines, 
modern. 

1898-99 

1899-1900 

112 

134 

6 
10 
19 
31 

274, 959 
273, 219 
188, 364 
162, 359 

194, 588 
315, 255 
408, 452 
433, 369 

8, 992 

8,427 
6,987 
5,647 

5,052 

9,642 
11,746 
12, 575 

27 
36 

1900-1901 

1901-2 

134 

124 

33 
33 

Year. 


1898-99  . . 
1899-1900 

1900-1901 
1901-2  ... 


Cotton  con- 
sumed. 


Kilos. 

27, 594, 260 
28, 985, 254 
30,252,319 
27, 628, 366 


Pieces 
woven  or 
printed. 


10, 753, 764 
11,  525,  952 
11,581,523 
10, 428, 532 


Yarn  pro- 
duced. 


Kilos. 

1,931,422 

1,884,401 

1,873,302 

1,879,329 


Sales  declared. 


829, 926, 568. 18 
35, 458, 577. 78 
33, 877,  214.  87 
28, 779, 999. 49 


Industrial  taxes  paid  by  the  114  cotton  mills  in  operation  in  the 
Republic  for  the  half  year  from  January  to  June,  1903,  amounted 
in  the  aggregate  to  $812,399.70.  The  largest  item  is  $149,543.90, 
assigned  to  the  "  Compania  Industrial  de  Orizaba,"  the  principal  cotton 
mills  in  Mexico;  then  follow  the  "  Compania  Industrial  de  San  Anto- 
nio,'"' with  $43,455.20;  the  "Compania  Industrial  Veracruzana,"  with 
$68,683.35;  the  u Compania  Industrial  Manufacturer, "  with  $35,000; 
the  other  mills  vary  from  $16,000  downward. 

The  assessment  for  the  six  months  mentioned  exceeds  that  paid  in 
the  half  year  from  July  to  December,  1902,  by  $2,886.60,  and  the 
number  of  mills  assessed  was  124,  being  10  more  than  the  number 
above  quoted.  The  number  of  hands  employed  in  the  cotton  factories 
of  Mexico  in  1902  was  50,632. 

The  distribution  of  this  industry,  by  States,  was  during  the  fiscal 
year  1901-2,  as  follows: 

CENTRAL  STATES. 


State. 


Factories. 


eg 

CD 


03 

a 

S-S  - 1  ? 

B S3   -  -  -■ 

p  '-   "  "  — 

a. 


Distrito  Federal 

Durango 

Guanajuato 

Hidalgo 

Mexico 

Puebla 

Quer<5taro 

San  Luis  Potosi . 
Tlaxcala 

Total 

Coahuila 

Chihuahua  

Nuevo  Leon 

Sonora 

Total 


Kilos. 
1, 975, 992 
1,214,619 
1,739,234 

226, 999 
1, 499, 145 
3,953,417 
1, 151, 385 

189, 798 
2,081,586 


1,565,322 

288,011 

280, 768 

46, 798 

630, 364 

1,933,088 

527, 667 

46, 938 

892, 939 


Kilos 
296, 215 

59,878 
202, 162 

98, 071 
181,093 
111,926 
227,596 
9, 246 

50, 810 


14,032,175 


0,211,89;" 


1,236,997 


S3, 165, 

991, 

1,200, 

217, 

1,875, 

4,625, 

1,229, 

148, 

2, 064, 


417.95 

999.  85 
219.  63 
931.08 
675.  79 
149. 90 
747. 05 
976. 61 
734. 98 


71,484 
30,680 
44,980 

9.117: 
79,  261) 
176,846 
51,820 
10,  240 
81,596 


1,714 
1,322 
1,207 

312 
2,646 
6,  US 
1.412 

300 
2,  633 


15, 519, 852. 84 


555, 978 


17,658 


20 


3,  624 
1,956 

2.  6  18 

393 

3,  178 
6,560 

2,  -190 

500 

3,255 


21,  '.NM 


NORTHERN  STATES. 


19 


11  2,214,582  595,585 

4  539, 984  128, 957 

4  912.072  271,526 

1  212. 032  49, 214 


21) 


2K.9S2 

655 

1,375 


3,878.670  1.04.V2.S2 
I 


31,012 


,635,117.17  108,566  3,551 

624,157.44  15,228'  590 

854,744.89  36,334  1,152 

264, 996. 16  5, 588  190 


3,379,015.66  165, 716,   5,483 


1  4,236 

..[   873 

..  1,577 

336 


1,  7,022 


248 


Ml-  XI  en. 


GULF  STATES. 


Factories. 

con 

l. 

oi  en 

ed 

•6 
h 
| 

2      ':  = 

E 

State. 

-.1 

a 

a  g 

:  = 

'£ 

— 

DO 

■ 

=  •-  —  z.  ~ 

= 

1  ~ 

p 

« 

>3 
5 

i 

-  ■-  -  --. 

i 

-r 

c 

r- 

o 
o 

2  6 

= 

i 

c 

■3     =— c- 

Oh       ]53 

Kilns. 

Kilos. 

10 

2     1" 

5,513,967 

2,036,688 

- 

17,016,1 

- 

7.  L68 

2ffll0,022 

PACIFK    STATE8 


Colima 

pas 

Guerrero 

Jalisco 

Michoacan 

ca 

Sinaloa 

itory  i. 

Total 


2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

I 

4 

4 

1 

3 

1 

3 

1 

22 

8 

62, 
102. 
L91, 
l.  151, 
772, 

■Jt',:,. 
667, 


- 


8, 
34, 

L75, 

225, 

71, 

172. 


674 
900 
946 
576 
240 
427 
486 
:,7:: 


23, 902 


140,774 

154,  108 

25,438 

6,385 

32 


J39,764.01 
126,261.68 
98,913.  19 
614,261.80 
491,359.88 
590,  P7.02 
326,  107.82 
577,931.70 


2,084 
3,600 
5,196 
87,  836 
25,808 
35, 736 
11,604 
24,352 


l.i:U.722       :;.".ii.'.r.l   2, 805,076. 40   196,710 


18 
182 
202 

1,110 
178 

71v 


161 
260 

32 1 

8,  Ill 

1.  lln 

7-7 

1,180 


■     • 


Besides  the  cotton  cloth  and  prints,  a  considerable  amount  of  cotton 
yarn  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  rebozos  (an  article  serving  as  a 
shawl  and  scarf  for  women),  blankets,  and  coarse  napkins.  The  best 
rebozos  are  made  in  the  town  of  Tenancingo.  The  articles  named  are 
als  >  manufactured  of  silk  and  linen.  There  are  in  the  City  of  Mexico 
several  factories  devoted  to  the  manufacture,  by  hand,  of  zarapes, 
rebozos,  mantas,  and  other  cotton  stuffs. 

The  manufacture  of  knit  goods,  such  as  hosiery,  underwear,  etc., 
has  increased  considerably,  and  has  resulted  in  making  a  very  notice- 
able reduction  in  the  amount  of  imported  goods  of  this  character. 
The  cloth  made  is  of  a  fair  quality,  and  sells  at  from  $1.62  to  $2.62 
per  vara;     carpets  being  from  $1  to  $1.30  per  vara. 

Ajs  demonstrative  of  the  profits  to  be  made  in  the  manufacture  of 
■otton  textiles,  it  has  been  Mated  upon  good  authority  that  one  of  the 
large  corporations  in  Orizaba  paid  its  shareholders  in  the  year  1896 
L6  per  cent.  In  the  Federal  District  another  company  divided,  during 
the  same  year,  among  its  shareholders  a  profit  of  15  per  cent.  The 
thread  factories  and  cotton  goods  manufactories  owned  by  individuals 
are  rid  to  make  annually  between  30  and  40  per  cent  on  their  capital. 
Woolen  mills.  Mexican  industry  also  produces  woolen  blankets  and 
blankets  of  a  mixture  of  wool  and  cotton,  cassimeres,  which,  although 
they  have  not  the  body  and  fineness  of  texture  of  those  of  European 
manufacturi  .  liave,  on  the  other  hand,  great  resistance,  and  are  cheap. 
The  zarapes  constitute,  perhaps,  the  most  profitable  industry.  These 
multicolored  woolen  cloaks  or  blankets  are  well  made,  those  of  Saltillo 
and  San  Miguel  being  celebrated  for  their  fine  texture,  brilliant  colors, 
good  finish,  and  excellent  wearing  qualities.     They  have  achieved  con- 


"  A  vara  is  34.12  inches. 


PAPEK    MANUFACTURE.  249 

siderable  fame  abroad,  and  some  grades  have  been  sold  for  more  than 
$100  each. 

The  principal  woolen  mills  are  in  Aguascalientes,  Durango,  Guana- 
juato, Hidalgo,  and  Puebla.  San  Luis  Potosi,  Zaeatecas,  Mexico,  and 
Nuevo  Leon  also  have  woolen  mills  which  produce  a  fair  quality  of 
goods. 

It  is  not  generally  known  that  wool  spinning  has  been  going  on  in 
Mexico  for  more  than  three  centuries,  }Tet  such  is  the  well-authenticated 
fact.  In  the  year  1541  the  tirst  viceroy  introduced  Merino  sheep  into 
the  country  and  established  manufactories  of  woolen  cloth. 

Silk  industry. — Silk  weaving  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  a  great  indus- 
try at  present,  but  it  is  increasing  rapidly.  Silk  was  cultivated  and 
sold  in  the  markets  of  Mexico  as  far  back  as  the  time  of  Charles  V, 
Cortes  speaking  of  the  fact  in  his  letters  to  that  monarch,  and  there 
are  still  preserved  pictures  done  by  the  ancient  Mexicans  upon  a  paper 
made  of  silk.  The  culture  of  the  silkworm  and  weaving  of  its  product 
were  prohibited  by  the  Spanish  Crown  in  its  American  possessions 
during  the  vice-regal  administrations  as  stated  elsewhere.  The  indus- 
try gradually  died  out,  and  it  is  only  of  late  years  that  it  has  been 
revived. 

The  climate  of  Mexico  is  unexcelled  b}T  any  in  the  world  for  the  rais- 
ing and  developing  of  cocoons.  The  silkworms  at  the  present  time  are 
mostly  raised  in  Oaxaca,  in  the  State  of  the  same  name;  Tetela,  in  the 
State  of  Puebla;  Ixmiquiltam  in  Hidalgo,  and  in  the  States  of  Jalisco, 
Oaxaca,  Tlaxcala,  Michoacan,  Queretaro,  Veracruz,  Chihuahua,'  and 
Zaeatecas.  The  white  and  black  mulberry  leaves  grow  well  in  these 
States  and  in  the  Federal  District.  In  1886  there  were-iour  silk  fac- 
tories, which  could  be  considered  to  be  fairly  well  equipped.  They 
had  plants  of  machinery  imported  from  France,  and,  although  small, 
were  in  the  hands  of  enterprising  men,  and  it  was  thought  at  the  time 
that  these  factories  and  others,  which  it  was  said  would  be  established, 
would  manufacture  more  silk  than  could  be  consumed  b}x  the  people 
of  Mexico.  Statistics  do  not  show  that  the  outcome  of  this  undertak- 
ing has  been  as  successful  as  was  expected.  Although  several  of  the 
State  governments  in  the  year  1886,  prior  to  that  time,  and  since  then, 
offered  inducements  to  those  persons  who  should  devote  themselves 
to  the  growing  of  mulberry  trees  and  the  establishment  of  silk  facto- 
ries, success  does  not  seem  to  have  attended  any  of  the  efforts  in  this 
line.  There  is  now  one  silk  factory  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  which  is 
pronounced  to  be  producing  a  very  fair  grade  of  goods. 

There  is  a  colony  devoted  to  the  raising  of  silkworms. 

Paper  mills. — Considering  the  great  quantity  and  variety  of  fibrous 
plants  and  other  material  for  paper  making  with  which  Mexico  is 
endowed,  and  that  this  industry  has  been  protected  for  many  years  by 
the  tariff,  it  seems  strange  that  throughout  the  entire  territory  there 


250  Ml  Xh  0. 

arc  onlj  a  few  paper  mills,  which  manufacture  comparatively  little 
writing  paper,  but  a  considerable  quantity  of  wrapping  and  printing 
paper,  envelopes,  etc.  The  oldest  mill  is  that  at  Cocolapan,  in 
Orizaba,  which  produces  a  straw  and  printing  paper  of  a  low  grade. 

ruder  date  of  June  •">.  1>>!>'.>.  the  legislature  of  the  State  of  Mexico 
granted  the  joint  stock  company  know  n  a-  "  El  Progreso  Industrial," 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  paper  from  the  "maguey "fiber,  exemp- 
tion from  all  State  taxes  and  contributions  for  the  term  of  ten  years. 
The  company's  mills  are  situated  in  the  districts  of  Tlalnepantla  and 
Cuautitlan.  About  1,600  men  were  engaged  in  erecting  tin1  buildings. 
The  engines  will  be  moved  by  hydraulic  power  of  1,500  horsepower. 
The  mills  will  be  able  to  produce  in  large  quantities  all  kinds  of  paper, 
especially  those  of  superior  quality. 

Sugar  mills. — Save  in  the  State  of  Morelos  and  some  districts  in  the 
States  of  Puehla,  Veracruz,  Miehoacan,  and  Jalisco,  and  the  Territory 
of  Lower  California,  the  sugar  industry  is  very  backward.  In  most 
of  the  sugar  mills  the  juice  of  the  cane  is  extracted  by  wooden  cylin- 
ders, and  boiled  down  to  the  necessary  consistency  to  form  small  tab- 
lets or  cakes  (called  pandas  or  piloncMlos)  of  a  dark  brown  saccharine 
substance  called  panocha.  Except  in  rare  cases,  the  use  of  steam  and 
modern  machinery  is  unknown.  That  this  is  a  profitable  industry  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  the  sugar  mills  of  Tenango,  Santa  (Mara,  and 
San  [gnacio,  in  the  State  of  Morelos,  paid  back  to  their  owners  the 
total  of  their  investment  within  four  years. 

Spirits.  Distilleries  are  to  be  found  all  over  the  country,  yet  very 
few  of  them  have  modern  plants.  These  distilleries  are  chiefly  engaged 
in  distilling  the  liquor  mescal,  which  has  been  described  in  another 
part  of  this  book.  Another  liquor  made  in  Mexico  is  distilled  from 
the  sugar  cane  and  is  called  aguardiente  (burning  water).  It  is  one  of 
the  strongest  liquors  known. 

A  very  fair  native  wine  and  brandy  are  made  of  the  grapes,  but  this 
industry  is  not  a  prominent  one  and  does  not  supply  the  home  demand. 

Beer  and  pale  ale  of  an  excellent  quality  are  produced. 

Official  figures  t'<>r  L901-  -J.  show  that  there  were  then  in  the  country 
1,969  establishments  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  spirits,  from  sugar 
cane,  maguey,  grapes,  grains,  etc..  which  produced  during  that  year 
33,288,853  liters  of  spirits,  tin-  principal  production  being  from  the 
sugar  cane,  20,4:74.474  liters;  from  the  maguey,  9,133,755  liters,  and 
2,930,554  liters  of  grain  spirits,  besides  135,249  liters  of  various  spirits. 
The  number  of  Mill-  in  use  amounted  to  2,439,  with  a  capacity  of 
1,335,589  liters. 

Tobacco. — The  tobacco-utilizing  industry  is  extensive,  nearly  every 
town  and  hamlet  having  its  cigarette  factory.  The  largest  manufac- 
tories of  cigars  and  cigarettes  are  in  the  Federal  District,  Puebla,  and 
Veracruz.     Cigarettes  are  very  cheap,  700  to  800  selling  for  a  dollar. 


IRON    AND    STEEL.  251 

Good  brands  of  cigars  may  be  purchased  at  from  $35  to  $80  per  thou- 
sand, Mexican  currency.  This  industry  is  a  profitable  one,  as  it  has 
been  stated  that  a  cigarette  manufacturing  company  started  operations 
the  1st  of  January,  1891,  with  a  nominal  capital  of  $1,000,000,  intro- 
ducing the  most  perfect  methods  for  the  manufacture  of  that  product. 
The  first  year  the  company  paid  dividends  of  11  per  cent,  in  the  second 
15  per  cent,  and  17  per  cent  in  the  year  1896.  This  result  is  the  more 
notable,  inasmuch  as  frhe  company  at  the  time  of  its  formation  into  a 
corporation  had  placed  its  capital  at  double  the  value  of  that  which  the 
business  really  represented. 

During  the  fiscal  year  1901-2  the  number  of  tobacco  factories  in  the 
country  was  701,  consuming  7,0-19,220  kilograms  of  the  raw  product 
in  the  manufacture  of  cigars,  cigarettes,  snuff,  and  cut  tobacco.  No 
chewing  tobacco  is  manufactured,  according  to  statistics. 

Flour  mills. — Although  there  are  many  flour  mills  in  the  country 
they  do  not  by  any  means  supply  the  local  demand.  Nearly  all  these 
are  supplied  with  millstones  from  France,  and  the  machinery  in  the 
majority  of  them  is  not  up  to  the  standard.  There  are  over  50  good 
merchant  mills  in  Mexico,  ranging  in  flour-making  capacity  from  10 
to  250  barrels  a  day.  At  least  150  smaller  and  crude  establishments 
are  scattered  throughout  the  Republic.  None  of  these  mills,  however, 
can  be  said  to  be  properly  equipped,  all  being  in  need  of  wheat  wash- 
ing and  scouring  plants. 

Iron  and  steel. — Iron  foundries  are  numerous,  the  excellent  quality 
of  the  Mexican  minerals  and  their  abundance  making  it  possible  for 
them  to  turn  out  good  work.  In  most  of  these  foundries  the  work  is 
limited  to  the  manufacture  of  smaller  agricultural  implements  and 
ordinary  marketable  iron,  although  some  large  pieces  have  been  man- 
ufactured in  the  way  of  sugar-making  machinery  and  other  heavy 
work.  There  is  little  doubt  that  at  no  very  distant  day  this  industry 
will  be  exploited  to  a  much  larger  extent  than  it  is  at  present. 

The  Government  maintains  a  large  arsenal  and  gun  foundry  in  the 
City  of  Mexico,  where  arms  and  munitions  of  war  have  been  produced 
which  speak  highly  for  the  skill  and  dexterity  of  the  operatives  in  the 
establishment.  There  is  also  a  large  type  foundry  located  in  the  same 
city,  which  turns  out  excellent  work. 

The  iron  made  is  almost  exclusively  charcoal  iron  of  very  high  grade, 
as  many  of  the  deposits  run  from  50  to  70  per  cent  iron  and  contain  a 
very  low  percentage  of  phosphorus  and  silica.  The  limit  to  the  supply 
is  set  not  by  the  stores  of  ore,  which  are  practically  limitless,  but  by 
the  supply  of  wood  for  charcoal. 

Probably  the  chief  disadvantage  with  which  the  iron  industry  in 
Mexico  has  to  contend  at  the  present  time  is  the  lack  of  transportation 
facilities  to  the  shipping  point  from  those  mines  which  are  well  supplied 
with  timber  and  charcoal.     There  are  plenty  of  iron  mines  in  the 


252  mi  xieo. 

Republic  which  arc  favorably  Located  in  heavily  wooded  regions,  hut 
the  expense  of  packing  machinery  <>n  muleback  to  the  furnaces  and 
thru  transporting  the  product  by  the  same  method  to  the  nearest  rail- 
road point  counteracts  the  benefits  of  favoring  legislation. 

The  cost  of  producing  pig  iron  is  set  down  as  averaging,  roughly. 
$9  gold  and  bars  ^i'"1  gold  to  the  ton.  Prices  for  this  producl  may  be 
said  to  be  about  $30  gold  per  ton.  £70  for  bars,  and  $100  for  castings. 

It  is  well  known  (hat  the  Aztecs  used  iron  implements  he  fore  the 
coming  of  the  Spaniard,  and  in  the  sixteenth  century  the  famous  Cerro 
del  Mercado — a  mountain  4,800  feet  long,  1,100  feet  wide,  and  640  feet 
high,  containing  more  than  300,000,000  tons  of  ore,  of  which  70  per 
'••tit  is  iron—  was  discovered. 

An  authority"  states  that  the  iron  plants  in  operation  are  of  limited 
capacity,  being  principally  foundries,  which  turn  out  castings  for 
mines,  smelters,  and  haciendas,  and  machine  shops,  whose  equipment 
for  the  most  part  is  neither  modern  nor  extensive.  The  largest  and 
most  important  of  the  iron  and  steel  plants  in  the  north  part  of  Mexico 
now  in  operation,  says  the  same  authority,  is  that  of  the  "Mexican 
National  Iron  and  Steel  Company."  in  the  State  of  Durango,  which 
was  built  some  ten  years  ago.  and  is  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the 
Cerro  del  Mercado,  estimated  to  lie  the  largest  continuous  deposit  of 
hematite  ore  upon  the  American  continent  and  one  of  the  most  exten 
sive  known  in  the  world.  There  is  also  in  Durango  a  small  foundry 
and  machine  shop,  situated  about  t>  miles  from  the  city,  and  run  by 
water  power.  There  is  also  a  foundry  in  the  city  of  Guadalajara, 
in  the  State  of  , Jalisco.     The  same  authority  continues: 

"These  and  sundry  other  plants  scattered  about  the  country  all 
occupy  places  of  minor  importance  in  comparison  with  the  modern 
steel  works  of  large  capacity  which  an1  now  aearing  completion  in 
Montere}',  in  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon.  This  may  be  regarded  as  the 
first  works  of  primary  importance  established  in  Mexico.  The  com- 
pany which  initiated  this  enterprise  and  has  carried  on  the  construc- 
tion to  the  present  nearly  complete  stage  was  organized,  in  L900,  under 
the  title  of  "LaCompania  Fundidora  de  Hierro  y  Acerode  Montere}'," 
with  a  capital  of  Sl<>,ni  10,1100  Mexican  silver.  This  capital  is  nearly 
all  paid  up  and  the  principal  stockholders  are  United  States  and  Mexi- 
can capitalists.  The  blast-furnace  house  is  200  by  50  feet;  blast-fur* 
nace  casting  house,  ISO  by  50  feet;  blast-furnace  blowing-engine  house. 
130  by  50  feet;  blast-furnace  boiler  house,  135  by  50  feet:  open-hearth 
building,  204  by  loo  feet;  mill  building.  1.l>s4  by  LOOfeet;  mill-boiler 
building,  200 by  50 feet;  rail-finishing  building.  L96  by50feet;  foundry, 
225  by  120  feet:  power  plant.  156  by  56  feet;  forge  building,  100  by 
50  feet;  storehouse  building.  60  by  60  feet;  oil  house,  60  by  30  feet; 

"John  James  Davis,  in  tin-    'Iron  Trade  Review."     March  19,  1903. 


POTTERY    WORKS.  253 

laboratory,  35  by  45  feet.  All  the  latest  labor-saving-  and  patented 
devices  applicable  to  iron  and  steel  manufacture  are  embraced  in  the 
equipment  of  the  various  departments.  The  yearly  capacit}"  is  given 
as  128,000  tons,  as  follows:  Rails,  40,000  tons;  beams  and  shapes, 
40,000  tons;  billets  and  bars,  10,000  tons;  pig  iron,  30,000  tons;  cast- 
ings, 8,000  tons.  The  blast  furnace  and  some  of  the  shops  are  already 
in  operation.  Workmen  said  to  be  experienced  in  this  line  of  labor 
have  been  imported  from  nearly  all  the  countries  of  Europe." 

Of  works  projected  only  one  of  an  ambitious  character  is  reported. 
This  is  also  a  steel  plant,  whose  proposed  point  of  location  is  the  town 
of  Tepeyahualco,  in  the  State  of  Puebla.  According  to  the  terms  of 
a  concession  recently  granted  the  plant  is  to  be  a  complete  one  for  the 
manufacture  of  rails,  beams,  columns,  etc. 

Ihtnuiux-k  manufacture. — Figuring  among  the  prominent  industries 
of  the  Republic  is  hammock  making.  This  is  principally  carried  on 
in  the  State  of  Yucatan,  where  hammocks  have  been  articles  of  use 
and  barter  from  time  immemorial,  which  fact  has  been  demonstrated 
by  the  discovery  in  buried  cities  of  hammock  beams  and  hooks. 
Yucatan  exports  more  hammocks  than  any  other  province  in  the 
world.  These  articles  are  made  from  the  fiber  of  the  henequm,  and 
are  woven  entirely  by  hand  with  the  aid  of  a  very  few  primitive 
instruments.  All  that  is  necessary  to  make  a  hammock  is  a  couple  of 
straight  poles  and  shuttles,  a  thin  slat  of  zapoli  wood,  and  a  pile  of 
henequen  leaves.  With  these  articles  at  hand  a  Yucatan  native  is  pre- 
pared to  accept  contracts  for  hammocks  by  the  piece,  dozen,  or  hun- 
dred. The  great  hammock-making  district,  whence  comes  the  best 
make  and  which  produces  more  than  all  the  other  districts  combined, 
is  Texcoco.  Almost  the  entire  exportation  of  these  articles  is  con- 
sumed by  the  New  York  market.  The  Indian  women  are  those  princi- 
pally engaged  in  the  industry. 

Pottery  works.  — Pottery  is  classed  as  a  third-rate  manufacture  of  the 
country.  It  is  carried  on  everywhere.  The  cities  of  Guadalajara, 
Zacatecas,  Guanajuato,  and  Puebla  maj7  be  said  to  be  the  centers  of 
the  industry.  The  pottery  and  crockery  of  the  various  localities  or 
districts  where  manufactured  'has  its  peculiar  distinctive  features 
of  quality,  design,  and  color. 

The  Guadalajara  ware  is  gray,  as  a  rule  soft  baked,  polished,  and 
often  very  elaborately  decorated  in  colors,  gold,  and  silver.  The 
Zacatecas  ware  is  red,  hard  baked,  glazed,  and  decorated  rudely  with 
splashes  of  underglaze  color.  The  Guanajuato  article  is  in  dark 
brown  or  dark  green,  with  ornamentation  of  figures,  and  with  a  soft, 
rich  glaze.  In  Puebla  a  coarse  porcelain  with  a  thick  tin  glaze  is 
manufactured.  Very  tine  glazed  tiles,  multiformed  and  vari-colored, 
are  made  in  this  city,  specimens  of  these  ornamenting  the  exterior 
and  interior  of  the  churches,  which   abound  in  the  city  named  and 


25  4  ITEXIOO. 

other  cities  and  towns  of  this  historic  State.     In  some  parts  of  the 

Republic  a  curious  iridescent  ware  is  made  which  has  a  copper  glaze. 

The  crockery  for  table  use  is  generally  heavy  and  in  whifr  and  blue. 
In  many  places  the  Indians  are  adepts  in  the  manufacture  of  earthen- 
ware, and  the  Mexicans  generally  are  skillful  in  the  making  of  wax. 
(lay.  and  rag  figures,  which  is  one  of  their  profitable  industries.  In 
Guadalajara,  tin'  capital  of  Jalisco,  and  Tepic,  in  the  Territory  of 
that  name.  vast  numbers  of  (day  images,  well  molded  and  painted,  are 
made.  Foreigners  are  amazed  at  the  perfect  accuracy  displayed  by 
the  humble  artists  in  reproducing  costumes  and  portraits  from  life  or 
photographs.  The  rapidity  with  which  the  modelers  perform  their 
task  is  wonderful.  Some  of  the  (day  and  wax  work  manufactured  by 
the  deft  fingers  of  the  natives  has  been  deemed  worthy  to  rank  with 
works  of  sculpture.  The  specimens  of  Mexican  handiwork  in  wax 
which  adorn  the  numerous  churches  do  the  artists  great  honor.  No 
city  in  the  Republic  of  any  pretension  is  without  the  vender  of  rag, 
baked  day.  and  wax  images,  crying  his  wares. 

Pearl  fishing. — Ever  since  Cortes  placed  his  foot  upon  the  soil  of 
the  New  World  pearl  fishing  has  been  carried  on  in  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia, which,  in  the  early  days,  bore  his  name.  The  industry  was 
pursued  for  many  years  in  a  desultory  way.  the  only  persons  engaged 
in  it  being  a  few  Indians,  who  dived  for  the  shells  without  having 
apparatus  or  modern  appliances  for  diving.  The  Government  has 
granted  an  English  company  a  concession  which  is  practically  a 
monopoly  of  the  pearl  fishing  in  the  Gulf  of  California.  This  com- 
pany has  provided  its  divers  with  all  the  modern  appliances,  thus 
enabling  them  to  reach  greater  depths  than  were  possible  under  the 
old  system. 

In  L896the  value  of  the  pearls  collected  in  Lower  California  was  only 
$300.  Besides  this,  however,  there  were  exported  5,000  tons  of  pearl 
shell  valued  at  $1,250,000.  The  headquarters  of  the  natives  engaged 
in  this  industry  is  La  Paz,  one  of  the  capitals  of  the  Territory  named. 
The  business  is,  of  course,  one  depending  considerably  upon  chance, 
but  the  natives  arc  very  fond  of  it.  The  large  majority  of  the  shells 
contain  no  pearl  and  are  wdiat  is  known  as  seed  pearls.  The  largest 
pearl  ever  found,  in  the  waters  of  the  gulf  was  about  three-fourths  of 
an  inch  in  diameter  and  was  sold  in  Paris  to  the  Emperor  of  Austria 
for  the  sum  of  Sl»».ooo.  A  number  of  black  pearls  have  been  found 
in  these  waters,  and  they  bring  very  high  prices.  In  1902  fine  pearls 
were  exported  to  the  value  of  $45,000. 

Other  products. — Sponges,  mother-of-pearl,  abalone,  and  other  shells 
are  also  found  and  constitute,  together  with  tortoise  fishing,  a  consid- 
erable industry.  The  Government  has  been  anxious  for  some  }-ears 
to  develop  these  marine  branches  of  industry  and  production,  and  will 
make  liberal  concessions  to  companies  desirous  of  engaging  in  them. 


OTHER    INDUSTRIES.  255 

In  comparison  to  the  returns,  the  capital  necessary  to  exploit  them  is 
small. 

The  exportations  of  pearl  shell  for  the  year  1901-2  were  227,228 
kilograms,  valued  at  $67,700;  other  shells,  $10,000. 

Cotton-seed  mills. — There  are  a  number  of  cotton-seed  oil  mills  in 
the  Republic,  the  largest  being  located  at  Lerdo,  Durango.  Consider- 
able American  capital  is  invested  in  the  enterprise.  The  mill  was 
established  in  1887,  and  has  a  capital  of  $1,000,000.  Its  capacity  is 
100  tons  a  day.  The  meal  is  shipped  all  over  Mexico  and  to  Rotter- 
dam and  Hamburg.  The  oil  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  soap,  which 
is  another  considerable  industry.  This  company  has  since  1892  sold 
between  10,000,000  and  11,000,000  pounds  of  soap  a  year. 

Unix  and  skins. — Another  noteworthy  industry  is  the  collecting 
and  exporting  of  hides  and  skins.  Mexico  occupies  the  fourth  rank 
among  the  nations  of  the  earth  in  this  particular  branch. 

In  the  year  1901-2  that  country  exported  hides,  skins,  and  leather 
to  the  value  of  $6,286,577  Mexican  silver,  as  follows: 


Hides 

Sheepskins 

Goatskins 

Deerskins 

Boar  skins 

Alligator  skins 
Other  skins  . . . 


Kilos. 


5,  S31, 110 

$2, 603, 367 

703 

268 

2,  657,  703 

3,283,983 

321,517 

291, 189 

16,444 

8,627 

225, 948 

95, 627 

7,388 

3,516 

Values. 


The  kid  exported  through  the  Matamoros  custom-house  is  much 
esteemed  for  the  manufacture  of  strong  shoes,  its  dimensions  and 
weight  ranking  high.  This  kid  brings  from  45  to  50  cents  per  pound. 
The  Veracruz  goatskins  are  more  sought  after  and  bring  2  cents  more 
a  pound,  while  those  from  Oaxaca  are  lighter  and  bring  about  39  cents 
per  pound.  These  kids  are  considered  among  the  best  in  the  world 
for  women's  and  children's  shoes. 

Tanneries — Tanneries  are  to  be  found  at  inany  places,  and  a  very 
fair  leather  is  turned  out.  Mexicans  are  artists  in  leather  work,  and 
in  the  making  of  saddles  the}^  excel.  Saddles  manufactured  in  the 
country  have  sold  for  more  than  $800,  being  profusely  ornamented 
with  silver  and  finely  stamped  leather.  The  center  of  the  leather- 
working  industry  is  the  city  of  Leon. 

Glassware. — Glassware  is  manufactured  to  some  extent,  but  not  to 
that  warranted  by  the  abundance  of  the  raw  material  suitable  to  glass 
making.  The  industry  is  almost  limited  to  the  making  of  window 
panes  and  ordinaiy  bottles  and  goblets,  at  prices  so  high  that  the  poor 
are  almost  denied  their  use. 

Other  industries. — There  are  but  few  manufactories  of  jewelry  and 
trinkets  in  the  country,  notwithstanding  the  Mexican  love  of  display 


256  Mi:xi<  o. 

in  this  line.     The  importations  of  jewelry  and  trinkets  is  made  from 
France,  England,  and  the  United  States.     The  silver  and  gold  smiths 

of  the  country  excel  in  the  execution  of  filigree  work,  it  being  BOUght 
after  in  all  parts  of  the  civilized  world. 

The  manufacture  of  acids  and  chemical  compounds^  which  would 
undoubtedly  be  a  profitable  industry,  has  about  thirteen  establishments 
devoted  to  it,  and  of  these  not  more  than  five  manufacture  acid- — bo 
necessary  to  the  mining  industry.  Sulphuric,  hydrochloric,  and  nitric 
acids  are  manufactured  at  great  profits. 

Another  quite  prominent  industry  is  the  manufacture  of  chocolate, 
several  Large  factories  being  devoted  to  the  converting  of  the  cocoa 
bean  into  this  article.  The  Mexican  chocolate  when  ground  with  cin- 
namon is  highly  valued. 

Hardwart  is  also  manufactured,  there  being  in  the  City  of  Mexico 
and  other  large  centers  a  number  of  foundries  where  are  manufactured 
a  considerable  amount  of  iron  and  galvanized-iron  balconies,  girder-, 
columns,  and  other  building  material. 

Felt  Imts  are  made  in  all  the  large  cities,  and  straw  hats  everywhere. 

The  manufacture  of  wooden  and  wax  matches  is  extensively  carried 
on  in  the  country,  there  being  several  match  factories  in  the  City  of 
Mexico  and  a  large  number  in  Puebla. 

A  huge  business  is  done,  although  nowhere  upon  an  extensive  scale, 
in  the  manufacture  of  dulces  (sweetmeats)  and  confections.    This  busi 
ness  presents  a  good  opening  for  enterprise.      Imported  American 
candies  sell  in  Mexico  City  for  $1.65  per  pound,  silver. 

Gunpowder  is  also  manufactured  to  quite  an  extent.  In  1897  the 
Department  of  Promotion  entered  into  a  contract  with  a  capitalist  to 
establish  one  or  two  fulminate  factories  to  manufacture  the  article  for 
mines  and  smokeless  powder  for  sporting  and  military  purposes. 

Among  the  distinctively  Mexican  industries  are  the  beautiful  drawn 
worka  and  feather  work,  in  the  making  of  which,  as  well  as  in  the 
pinning  of  horsehair  riatas,  or  lassos,  which  every  Mexican  charro 
carries  on  the  pommel  of  his  saddle,  the  natives  of  the  countiy  are 
unexcelled.  Even  the  peon's  wife  has  a  piece  of  drawn  work  with 
which  to  cover  her  husband's  dinner  basket.  Mexican  lace  is  also  far 
famed. 

Despite  the  fact  that  Mexico  is  a  large  producer  of  cabinet  woods, 
the  manufacture  of  furniture  is  but  little  developed.  The  rich  and 
well-to-do  classes  import  nearly  if  not  all  of  their  furniture,  upon 
which  heavy  duties  are  levied,  and  the  poorer  classes  need  but  little, 
and  that  of  the  most  humble  description. 

«In  Silao,  Guanajuato,  a  resident  owns  a  beautiful  tablecloth  of  drawn  work  and 
embroidery.  It  is  pure  linen,  13  feet  long  by  '>j  wide.  It  took  30  Mexican  women 
three  years  to  complete  it,  and  cost  $10,000.  It  was  exhibited  at  the  Paris  Expo- 
sition in  1900. 


AMERICAN    CAPITAL.  257 

There  are  many  brick,  artificial  stone,  tile,  lime,  soap,  varnish, 
paint,  starch,  musical  instrument,  harness,  blank-book,  and  other 
manufactories. 

New  industries. — Since  the  first  edition  of  the  Handbook  of  Mexico 
was  issued  the  country  has  made  great  strides  in  the  industrial  and  manu- 
facturing field.  A  progressive  Government  has  done  all  in  its  power 
to  foster  home  manufacture,  and  has  offered  great  inducements  to  those 
who  wish  to  establish  upon  Mexican  soil  enterprises  which  will  utilize 
within  its  borders  those  articles  which  its  fecund  soil  produces.  Smelt- 
ing and  reduction  works,  waterworks,  electric  plants,  etc.,  are  spring- 
ing up  throughout  the  country,  and  the  columns  of  the  Government 
Official  Gazette  are  daily  filled  with  applications  for  patents,  waste 
lands,  water  privileges,  railroad  franchises,  etc.,  all  of  which  indicate 
that  an  era  of  prosperity  has  dawned. 

A  contract  has  been  entered  into  for  the  establishment  and  operation 
of  a  stock  yard  as  a  permanent  exposition  and  market  in  the  Federal 
District,  to  be  completed  and  ready  for  operation  within  five  years. 

The  cattle  market  or  stock  yard  shall  cover  an  extent  of  ground 
sufficient  for  the  corrals,  yards,  sheds,  stalls,  etc.,  that  may  be  neces- 
sary for  5,000  cattle,  10,000  hogs,  5,000  sheep  and  goats,  and  1,000 
horses,  and  the  buildings  for  offices,  dwellings  for  employees,  and 
rooms  that  may  be  used  by  purchasers  and  dealers.  The  concession- 
aire is  expressly  authorized  to  construct  rail  connections  from  the 
stock  yard  to  the  existing  railroads  and  to  establish  telegraph  and 
telephone  lines  for  the  service. 

American  capital.—  Consul-General  Barlow,  in  his  report  before  men- 
tioned, states  that  "  the  amount  of  United  States  capital  invested  in 
Mexico  by  1,117  United  States  companies,  firms,  and  individuals,  is,  in 
round  numbers,  $500,000,000  gold.  This  amount  has  practically  all 
been  invested  in  the  past  quarter  of  a  century,  and  about  one-half 
of  it  has  been  invested  within  the  past  five  years. 

"The  impetus  given  to  Mexico's  industries  by  this  enormous  aug- 
mentation of  the  nation's  working  capital  accounts  in  no  small  degree 
for  the  great  industrial  progress  which  it  has  made  during  the  past 
twenty-five  years.  With  Mexico  buying  58  per  cey|  of  all  her  imports 
from  the  United  States  and  selling  80  per  cent  of  all  her  exports  to 
the  United  States,  and  with  this  enormous  investment  of  United  States 
capital  in  Mexico,  the  commercial  bond  between  the  sister  Republics 
is  one  that  hardly  can  be  broken,  and  is  constantly  growing  in  strength. 
The  flow  of  United  States  capital  into  this  Republic  has  apparently 
only  begun,  as  each  year  Mexico  buys  more  from  and  sells  more  to 
the  United  States." 

The  following  information  is  extracted  from  the  same  source: 

More  United  States  capital  is  invested  in  the  railroads  of  Mexico 
than  in  any  other  single  line— about  70  per  cent  of  the  total.  The 
509a— 04 17 


258  Mexico. 

Mexican  Central  Railroad  represents  the  largest  single  United  States 
interest  in  Mexico.    The  amount  of  $158,999,979.45,  given  as  the  capi 
tnl  employed,  represents  what   has  actually  been  paid  out   up  to  the 
present   time   for  the  construction  and  equipment  of  the  road.     The 

Mexican  National  is  the  next  strongest,  with  a  capital  invested  of 
$107,350,000. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  railroads,  from  the  standpoint  of  United 
Statc>  capital  invested,  is  the  niiuing  industry.  The  amount  invested 
by  United  States  capitalists  in  mining  in  Mexico  may  he  stated,  in 
found  figures,  at  $80,000,000.  A  large  amount  of  this  $80,000,000  i- 
invested  in  up-to-date  mining  machinery,  which  is  competently  han- 
dled, and  Mexico's  mineral  wealth  has  been  greatly  increased  by  this 
I  nited  States  investment. 

Agriculture  conn-  alter  mining  in  the  amount  of  United  State- 
capital  invested  with  $28,000,000.  Next  to  railroads,  mining,  and 
agriculture,  the  largest  United  States  interest  in  Mexico  i-  in  manu- 
facturing, in  which  1  nited  States  capital  is  only  beginning  to  assume 
importance.  A  number  of  important  manufacturing  enterprises,  in 
which  United  States  capital  is  heavily  interested,  are  just  starting  or 
have  plants  in  course  of  construction,  as  the  large  iron  and  steel  works 
in  Monterey. 

Sinaloa  leads  the  list  of  Mexican  States  in  regard  to  the  amount  of 
Tinted  State  capital  invested  in  manufacturing  enterprises.  Most  of 
this  is  engaged  in  a  few  large  sugar  refineries.  The  Federal  District 
comes  next,  with  a  variety  of  large  and  small  manufacturing  enter- 
prises. Nuevo  Leon,  whose  capital,  Monterey.  i-  one  of  the  principal 
manufacturing  center-  in  the  Republic,  follows,  with  *L\r>oo.000  of 
United  States  capital  invested  in  her  enterprises. 

(nited  States  capital  is  also  beginning  to  assume  importance  in  the 
banking  of  Mexico,  and  this  interest  is  one  that  is  growing  rapidly. 
Next  after  hanks,  in  the  order  of  the  amount  of  United  States  capital 
invested,  come  assay  offices  and  chemical  laboratories,  ore  buyers,  ore 
testers,  smelters,  and  refiners,  all  closely  allied  to  the  mining  interest. 
All  of  Mexico's  large  smelters  are  operated  by  United  States  capital. 

United  States  firms  have  of  late  been  building  many  electric  light 
and  power  plants,  gas  plants,  waterworks  plants,  telephone  system.-, 
and  similar  plants.  The  .Mexican  Telephone  Company,  operating  the 
telephone  system  of  Mexico  City,  and  the  Mexican  Telegraph  Com- 
pany, with  a  line  to  Veracruz  from  Mexico  City  and  a  cable  from 
Veracruz  to  Galveston,  are  the  largest  enterprises  of  this  sort.  In 
addition  to  building  plants  for  their  own  operation.  United  States 
firms  are  building  most  of  the  telegraph  and  telephone  lines  and  laying 
most  of  the  cables  for  native  and  other  foreign  companies.  Many  of 
Mexico's  cities  have  recently  undertaken  or  are  now  planning  exten- 
sive municipal  improvements,  and  in  all  of  these  the  United  States 
contractor  is  a  conspicuous  figure. 


ENCOURAGEMENT    TO    INDUSTRY.  259 

A  recapitulation  by  States  shows  the  Federal  District,  which  prac- 
tically means  the  City  of  Mexico,  to  be  credited  with  $320,800,000  of 
United  States  capital  invested.  Of  this  amount  $281,800,000  is  cred- 
ited to  the  railways  having  their  main  offices  in  this  city.  The  State 
showing-  the  largest  amount  of  United  States  capital  invested  is  Coa- 
huila,  with  $48,700,000;  but  of  this  amount  $37, 800,000  is  credited  to 
the  Mexican  International  Railroad,  which  is  not  confined  to  the  limits 
of  that  State.  The  next  State  in  the  order  of  United  States  capital 
invested  is  Sonora,  with  $37,500,000,  of  which  $27,800,000  is  claimed 
to  be  interested  in  mining  enterprises.  Of  the  total  amount  of 
$31,900,000  credited  to  Chihuahua  $21,300,000  is  in  mining  enterprises. 
Oaxaca  and  Nuevo  Leon  follow  with  $13,600,000  and  $11,400,000, 
respectively. 

ENCOURAGEMENT    TO    NEW    INDUSTRIES. 

In  December.  1903.  the  Mexican  Congress  passed  an  act  authorizing 
the  Executive  to  grant  concessions  for  establishing  industrial  enter- 
prises new  to  the  country,  and  without  the  intervention  of  Congress, 
for  five  years.  This  means  the  extension  of  act  December  14,  1898, 
which  is  as  follows: 

"Article  1.  The  Executive  is  authorized  for  five  years,  counted 
from  the  date  of  the  promulgation  of  the  present  law.  to  enter  into 
contracts  granting  franchises  and  concessions,  without  prejudice  to 
third  parties,  to  concerns  guaranteeing  the  investment  of  capital  in 
the  implantation  and  development  of  industries  that  are  entirely  new 
in  the  Republic  on  the  following  basis: 

"I.  The  duration  of  the  franchises  and  concessions  shall  be  from 
five  to  ten  years,  according  to  the  importance  of  the  industry  and  the 
capital  invested  therein. 

"II.  The  minimum  capital  to  be  invested  in  the  introduction  and 
exploitation  of  the  industry  shall  not  be  less  than  $100,000,  and  it  shall 
carry  with  it  the  minimum  of  franchises. 

"III.  That  same  capital  shall  be  exempted  from  all  direct  Federal 
taxes  for  the  entire  duration  of  the  contract. 

"IV.  The  concessionaire  ma}T  import  on  a  single  occasion  free  from 
customs  duties  the  machinery,  apparatus,  utensils,  and  building  mate- 
rials necessary  for  the  establishment  of  the  industry  and  the  erection 
of  the  buildings,  subject  to  the  revision  of  the  list  of  importations  by 
the  Department  of  Promotion,  and  also  giving  a  bond  for  each  case  of 
importation,  said  bond  to  be  canceled  as  soon  as  the  machinery  has 
been  set  up  and  the  use  of  the  apparatus,  utensils,  or  material  has  been 
proven. 

"V.  The  concessionaires  shall  guarantee  the  performance  of  their 
contract  obligations  by  means  of  a  deposit  in  public -debt  securities 
which  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Department  of  Promotion  and  which  shall 
be  made  when  the  contract  is  signed. 


260  MK.Miu. 

"Art.  2.  The  importation  privilege  granted  by  this  law  shall  be 
regulated  by  the  Departments  of  Finance  and  Promotion." 

"  Under  this  act  applications  have  already  been  filed  for  concessions 
to  erect  a  plant  for  the  manufacture  <>f  '  butterine  and  lard  compound;' 
a  factory  tor  the  manufacture  of  'buttons,  knife  handles,  and  other 
articles  of  mother-of-pearl:'  a  •hammer,  pick,  hoe.  and  ax  handle  fac- 
tory:* and  a  ho  a  "starch  factory.'" 

New  concessions. ■  -Among  the  new  concessions  granted  by  the  Mex- 
ican Government  to  foster  the  industrial  development  of  the  country, 
the  following  are  the  most  important: 

Manufacture  of  incandescent  lamps  within  the  Republic,  with  a 
capital  of  $100,000  and  a  daily  output  of  1,000  lamps,  to  he  increased 
in  accordance  with  the  demand. 

Exploitation  of  all  the  guano  deposits  on  the  islands  off  the  wesi 
coast  of  Mexico,  between  Manzanillo  and  Mazatl&n,  including  the 
islands  known  as  Las  [sabelaa,  Tres  Marias.  San  Juanito,  Las  Marietas, 
Los  Angeles,  Isla  de  Af  uera,  Isla  de  Perlas,  and  the  Isla  del  Medio. 
The  object  of  the  concessionaire  is  to  dispose  of  the  guano  to  the  agri- 
culturists of  southern  California  for  fertilizing  their  lands,  and  par- 
ticularly the  orange  groves.  The  deposits  are  made  by  aquatic  birds, 
such  as  cormorants  and  pelicans,  millions  of  which  make  these  islands 
their  home  during  the  breeding  season,  which  occurs  in  April,  May, 
and  June  of  each  year.  As  soon  as  the  breeding  season  is  over  the 
birds  desert  the  islands,  migrating  north,  thereby  leaving  the  nine 
months  from  July  to  March  in  which  to  collect  and  ship  the  guano. 
In  April  they  return,  and  the  deposits  are  renewed,  thus  making  the 
supply  continuous.  The  guano  found  on  the  islands  in  the  Pacitic 
Ocean  off  the  west  coast  of  Mexico  is  considered  to  be  of  first  quality, 
and  contains  about  L2  per  cent  ammonia,  10  per  cent  phosphoric  acid, 
and  3  per  cent  potash.  According  to  the  terms  of  the  concession  the 
concessionaire  must  pay  to  the  Government  75  cents  per  ton  for  all  the 
guano  shipped  from  the  islands.  To  guarantee  the  complete  fulfill- 
ment of  the  obligations  imposed  on  the  concessionaire  by  the  provisions 
of  the  concession,  a  deposit  of  $3,000  has  been  made. 

A  concession  to  exploit  an  extension  of  70,500  hectares,  equal  to 
174,206  acres,  of  heavily  timbered  land  in  the  Territory  of  Quintans 
Roo,  on  the  eastern  part  of  the  Yucatan  Peninsula,  for  a  term  of  ten 
years  from  December  28,  L903,  the  date  of  the  promulgation  of  the 
concession  in  the  ''Diario  Oficial."  The  concessionaire  obliges  himself 
not  to  cut  mahogany  or  cedar  trees  measuring  less  than  two  meters  in 
circumference  at  the  base,  and  agrees  to  pay  $1.50  for  each  tree  over 
that  measurement.  A  regular  tariff,  with  quotas  for  each  class  of 
tree,  is  established.  For  dyewood  logs  the  quota  is  $2  per  ton:  for 
chicle,  $18  per  ton:  for  rubber,  S24  per  ton,  both  of  which  are  pro- 
duced by  trees  growing  wild  in  the  forest.     The  concessionaire  agrees 


NEW    CONCESSIONS.  261 

to  exploit  during  the  first  two  years  at  least  7,000  hectares,  equal  to 
L8,000  acres;  during  the  next  two  following-  years  at  least  34,600 
acres;  and  during  the  six  following  years  at  least  19,770  acres. 

A  concession  to  exploit  for  ten  years  a  tract  of  national  land  meas- 
uring 247,777  hectares,  equal  to  602,257  acres,  situated  in  the  province 
of  Balancan,  in  the  State  of  Tabasco.  The  land  is  covered  with 
mahogany,  cedar,  log  or  dj^e  wood,  and  many  varieties  of  construction 
timber;  it  also  produces  much  chicle  and  resins.  The  concessionaire 
agrees  to  pay  stipulated  prices  for  the  various  kinds  of  trees  he  ma}r 
cut;  the  general  terms  of  the  concession  are  as  usual.  The  guarantee 
deposit  in  the  national  bank  is  $3,000  in  bonds  of  the  3  per  cent  con- 
solidated silver  debt. 

A  concession  for  the  purpose  of  breeding  the  common  and  the  carey 
turtle  in  Lake  Paso  de  Colombia,  island  of  Cuzumel.  The  island  is 
about  12  miles  from  the  eastern  coast  of  Yucatan,  and  is  about  40 
miles  long  by  about  15  wide.  The  lease  is  for  ten  years,  at  $100  per 
annum.  The  guarantee  deposit  in  the  national  bank  is  $1,000  in  the 
usual  bond  of  the  3  per  cent  consolidated  silver  debt. 

The  North  American  Beef  Company  has  been  granted  a  concession 
to  build  and  operate  two  meat-packing  establishments,  one  in  the  city 
of  Uruapan,  State  of  Michoacan,  and  the  other  at  a  point  near  the  line 
of  the  Ferrocarril  Veracruz  al  Pacifico.  The  company  is  also  author- 
ized to  establish  two  plants  for  the  manufacture  of  pepsin,  margarin, 
oleomargarine,  refined  animal  oils,  etc.,  and  for  the  utilization  of  all 
by-products  in  the  manufacture  of  felts,  brushes,  combs,  buttons,  and 
fertilizers,  as  well  as  to  build  and  operate  a  refrigerating  plant  and 
cold-storage  warehouses  in  the  City  of  Mexico  for  the  preservation  of 
meat  and  other  fresh-food  products. 

A  concession  for  the  extraction  of  dye  woods  and  cutting  mahogany 
and  other  timbers,  and  to  gather  crude  rubber  and  other  resinous  sub- 
stances from  the  forests  comprised  in  161,224  hectares  of  public  lands 
situated  in  the  District  of  Peto,  State  of  Yucatan.  As  a  consideration 
for  this  privilege,  the  concessionaire  binds  himself  to  pa.y  to  the  Gov- 
ernment the  following  amounts  in  Mexican  silver:  $1.50  for  each 
mahogany  or  cedar  tree  cut  or  proposed  to  be  cut;  50  cents  for  each 
tree  cut  for  construction  timbers;  $1  for  each  ton  of  wood;  $2  for 
each  ton  of  d}Tewoods;  $18  for  each  ton  of  chicle  gum  extracted;  $24 
for  each  ton  of  crude  rubber  extracted;  $1  annually  for  each  hectare 
of  land  cultivated;  50  cents  annually  for  each  head  of  cattle  pastured 
in  the  zone;  10  cents  for  each  hectare  of  land  exploited. 

The  duration  of  the  contract  is  ten  years,  and  the  concessionaire 
agrees  to  exploit  at  least  17,000  hectares  during  the  first  two  years, 
34,000  during  the  two  following  years,  and  22,000  hectares  of  land 
yearly  during  the  remaining  six  years. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

COMMERCE,     DOMESTIC     AND      FOREIGN— STATISTICAL,      DATA— 
PORTS  AND  CUSTOMS  DISTRICTS     TARIFF. 

The  history  of  the  commercial  development  of  Mexico  is  too  Long 
to  1>«'  followed  step  by  step.  The  natives  of  the  Western  Hemisphere, 
even  before  its  discovery  and  conquest,  maintained  a  rudimentary 
commerce,  and  in  Mexico,  among  the  Aztecs,  such  as  were  interested 
in  international  trade  were  highly  honored,  and  were  designated  as 
Pohtecas.  Instead  of  coins,  copper  pieces  in  T  shape,  grains  or  nug- 
gets of  gold,  cacao  nuts.  etc..  were  used.  True  commerce,  which  nec- 
essarily entailed  the  use  <>|'  metal  coin-,  did  not  exist  until  the  conquest, 
and  it  was  not  until  the  Spaniards  found  that  gold  and  silver  were 
becoming  scarce  that  they  thought  of  creating  a  trade  l>etweenthe  new 
possessions  and  the  mother  country.  As  a  consequence  Spanish  ves- 
sels leaded  with  merchandise  began  t<>  arrive  at  the  ports  of  Veracruz 
and  Campeche,  taking  on  their  return  trips  immense  cargoes  of  hides, 
indigo,  tobacco,  dyewoods,  and  other  products.  This  trade  increased 
with  the  foundation  of  the  mint  in  Mexico,  which  was  the  first  to  he 
established  in  the  New  World,  hut  it  was  hampered  to  a  great  extent  by 

the  difficulties  encountered  between  Spain,  and  Mexico  and  the  English 
and  French  pirates  who  infested  I  lie  ocean.  The  port  of  Acapulco 
was  open  to  the  products  of  the  Philippine  Islands,  which  were  so 
valuable  that  it  was  claimed  that  each  vessel  freighted  at  Manila  had 
onboard  merchandise  worth  2,000,000  pesos.  Trade  then  sprang  up 
with  China.  Japan,  and  Peru,  so  that  Mexico,  in  the  sixteenth  century. 
was  the  greatest  commercial  center  of  the  then  known  world.  During 
the  seventeen!  Ii  and  eighteenth    centuries   domestic   trade   began  to  be 

developed,  and  foreign  commerce  fell  oil',  owing  to  the  constant  wars 
between  Spain  and  the  various  European  State-. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  the  foreign  trade  of  the 
Republic  revived,  reaching,  it  i^  claimed,  the  sum  of  25,000,000  |>e><>- 
for  imports  and  over  L6,000,000  for  exports.  Until  about  thirty  years 
ago,  however,  the  unsettled  condition  of  the  country  was  a  Berious 
impediment  to  this  line  of  development;  but  peace  being  then  estab- 
lished, railroads  were  constructed,  bringing  with  them  increased 
activity  in  commerce,  industries,  and  the  arts — in  short,  of  every 
branch  of  public  prosperity  and  wealth. 
262 


FOREIGN    TRADE. 


263 


Domestic  trade.  The  domestic  trade  of  the  country  is  made  up  of 
the  interchange  of  natural  products  and  the  products  of  native  industry 
for  .such  as  are  not  indigenous  to  the  country,  or,  it'  so.  arc  produced 
on  too  small  a  scale  to  meet  the  requirements  of  native  consumption: 
hence  the  necessity  for  importing  such  goods  as  are  required  to  make 
up  the  balance  of  trade. 

Foreign  trade. — The  principal  exports  of  Mexico  are  precious  metals, 
henequen,  coffee,  cattle,  etc.,  while  the  principal  imports  arc  machinery, 
cotton  textiles,  iron  and  steel,  wines  and  liquors,  wood  and  paper  and 
manufactures  thereof,  and  textile  fibers. 

Don  Salvador  Echegaray.  director  of  the  Bureau  of  Statistics  of 
Mexico,  in  a  paper  read  before  the  International  Commercial  Congress 
in  Philadelphia,  October,  1899,  made  in  substance  the  following  state- 
ments in  regard  to  Mexican  trade  development: 

''During  the  last  twenty-five  years  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  under 
President  Diaz's  government,  has  enjoyed  peace;  the  construction  of 
10,000  miles  of  railroads,  the  improvement  of  some  of  the  ports,  the 
general  development  of  the  country,  and  increase  of  public  wealth 
have  been  made  possible. 

"Imports  which  in  the  fiscal  year  of  1871-75  did  not  reach  19,000,000 
Mexican  dollars,  in  the  last  fiscal  year  (1898-99 )  amounted  to  1 1  >6,285,3<  »7 
dollars  silver,  an  increase  of  nearly  600  per  cent.  Exports  in  1875 
were  27,318,788  in  Mexican  dollars,  and  in  the  last  year  138,478,137 
Mexican  dollars,  an  increase  of  500  per  cent. 

"The  foreign  commerce  of  Mexico  in  the  last  seven  fiscal  years  has 
been  as  follows: 


Importation  (declared  value  in  gold). 

Exportation  (declared  value  in  silver). 

Year. 

From  United 
States. 

From  other          ~,nta , 
countries.            10ta1, 

To  United          Toother              Tnt  . 
States.           countries                l    ' 

1892-93  

826, 235, 963 
14, 351 .  785 
15, 130, 367 
20, 145, 763 
22, 593, 869 
21,490,604 
24, 164, 687 

817,177,168       843, 413,131 
15,936,704         30,287,489 
18,870.1)7::         34,000,440 
22,108,175         12,253,938 
19, 610, 235          12,204,095 

863,791,741       823,717,466         887,509,207 

1S93-94  

60,660,243         18,683,044           79,343,287 

1894-95  

67,322,986         23,531,967           90,854,953 

1895-96  

79,051,695        25,365,207         105,016,902 

1896-97  

86.742.951         "!.i;o:].513         111.346.494 

1897-98  

22,112,888         43,603,492         94,974,616         33,998,133         128,972,749 

1898-99  

26,701,5(17         50,869,194       103,553,486         34,924,651          138,478,137 

Total 

144, 113, 029 

142,518,750  1     286,631,779 

556,697,718       184,824,011          741,521,729 

1 

Referring  to  the  general  condition  of  trade,  the  same  authority 
stated  that  the  greater  demands  for  cotton  goods  in  Mexico,  due  to  the 
increase  of  public  welfare  and  population,  produces  scarcely  any  effect 
in  the  increase  of  imports  of  foreign  cottons,  because  the  new  demand 
has  been  supplied  b}^  the  native  factories,  of  which  there  are  a  large 
number  equipped  with  every  modern  improvement.  Foreign  beer  has 
practically  disappeared  from  Mexican  markets,  its  place  being  filled 
by  excellent  domestic  beer. 

"The  low  price  of  silver  has  produced  an  entirely  different  effect  on 
the  silver  production  in  Mexico  than  it  did  in  the  United  States.     When 


264 


MEXICO. 


the  price  of  this  metal  reached  a  certain  point  in  that  country  several 
mines  had  to  be  closed,  while  in  Mexico  veins  were  daily  opened,  the 
cost  of  production  remaining  almost  the  same,  its  extraction, labor, and 
transportation  being  paid  as  formerly. 

"  Mexico's  industrial  awakening  can  not  be  credited  solely  to  the 
depreciation  of  silver.  The  construction  of  railroad  lines  and  the  intro- 
duction of  foreign  capital,  attracted  by  the  facilities  granted  by  the 
Government,  are  factors  which  have  contributed  to  the  flourishing  con- 
ditions of  the  country.  The  profitable  exportation  of  some  products 
increases  their  prices  for  home  consumption,  but  staple  products,  such 
as  corn  and  beans,  have  suffered  no  alteration." 

Referring  to  the  commercial  methods  of  Mexico,  the  same  authority 
makes  the  following  statement: 

••  The  report  of  the  American  consul-general  -for  the  year  L899  says: 
'As  the  terms  of  our  American  merchants  are  often  very  rigid,  it  is 
hard  to  reach  an  agreement,  and  much  trade  which  by  the  exercise  of 
a  little  tact  and  judgment  could  be  handled  by  American  merchants 
goes  elsewhere.'  Mexican  merchants  are  noted  for  their  integrity. 
The  quoted  report  about  commerce  and  industries  in  Mexico  says: 
"There  are  very  few  concerns  here  doing  business  that  have  not  ample 
capital  to  carry  out  all  contracts  into  which  they  may  enter.  Failures 
are  very  rare,  indeed,  and  when  they  do  occur  are  carefully  invest] 
gated  by  the  authorities  in  the  interest  of  creditors,  and  any  attempts 
todefraudare  severely  punished.  Book  entries  are  regarded  as  sacred. 
All  books  kept  by  business  houses  are  known  and  small  stamp  taxes 
paid  on  them,  and  thus  a  sort  of  surveillance  is  kept  over  them  by  the 
Government  authorities.' 

"  The  growing  prosperity  of  foreign  commerce  gives  the  measure  of 
the  progress  of  the  country,  but  what  confirms  even  more  the  opti- 
mistic opinions  about  the  future  of  Mexico  is  the  figures  showing  the 
constant  increase  in  the  public  revenue,  due  only  to  a  greater  return 
from  the  productive  sources  and  not  to  new  or  higher  taxes." 

The  foreign  trade  of  the  Republic  since  ls'.is-'.t'.t.  the  latest  figure* 
quoted  above  has  been  as  follows: 


Importation  (declared  value  in  gold). 

Exportation  (declared  value  in  silver). 

From  United      Kr",ln ''"           T  ,  , 
ntotjM               other              Total. 
'■"'             countriea 

ftwg-H     "Si?1           Total. 
'      •         countriea 

1899-1900  

131,026,415       130,291,760       (ft.,  818, 175 
29,893,  198        65,088,463 

39,016,(579         27,212,308         66,228,987 

•116,102,285      133,954,075      1150,056,361 
U7,228,99]         31,430,011         148,659,002 
130,323,347         29,579,976         159,903,323 

1900-1901  

1901-2  

Total 

105,233,049        87,897,566       192, 631, 615 

363,654,633         94,964,062         458,618,685 

EXPORTS. 


Exports  from  Mexico  for  the  month  of  June.  1903,  and  for  the  fiscal 
year  1902-3  are  shown  in  the  following  figures  issued  l>\  the  Mexican 


EXPORTS. 


265 


Government;  the  corresponding  valuations  for  the  preceding  fiscal  year 
being  also  given  for  purposes  of  comparison: 


EXPORTS. 

[Silver  valuation.] 


.lime — 

Twelve  months  ending  June— 

1903.                      1902. 

1903. 

1902. 

16,102,512.39       $4,  880, 980. 16 
11, 945, 074. 11         8, 564, 817.  95 

$91,763,481.31 
105,  965, 487.  46 

$68, 947, 728. 17 
90, 955, 595. 49 

Total 

18,347,586.50 

13, 445, 798. 11 

197, 728, 968. 77 

159, 903, 323. 66 

The  details  of  the  export  trade  for  the  periods  under  comparison 
show  the  following  classification  and  figures: 


June — 


Twelve  months  ending  June— 


1903. 


1902. 


Mexican  gold  coin. . 
Foreign  gold  coin. . . 

Gold  in  bars 

Gold  in  other  forms. 


$450. 00 


$1,481.00 


1,414, 90S.  Ml 
104, 976. 33 


696, 605. 18 
50, 457. 79 


$106, 630. 00 

9, 329. 00 

13, 264, 275. 67 

828, 553. 60 


$95, 720. 00 

78, 243. 00 

8, 698, 822. 57 

442, 470. 94 


Total  gold. 


1,520,335.14 


748, 543. 97 


14,21 


3.27 


9, 315, 256. 51 


Mexican  silver  coin. . 
Foreign  silver  coin . . . 

Silvei  in  bars 

Silver  in  other  forms. 


132, 375. 00 


3, 616, 4*0.  06 
1,133,322.19 


52, 000. 00 

39,357.00 

3, 537, 167. 60 

503,911.59 


21,098.739.00 

85, 540. 67 

46,357,391.36 

10,013,022.01 


11,351,765.00 

259, 573. 98 

41,037,963.17 

6, 983, 169. 51 


Total  silver 


4,882,177.25 


4,132,436.19  i     77,554,693.04 


59,  632,  471.  66 


Copper 

Lead 

Other  mineral  products. . . 

Coffee 

Henequen  in  fiber 

Woods 

Dyewoods 

Leaf  tobacco 

Other  vegetable  products. 

Cattle 

Raw  hides 

Other  animal  products 

Henequen,  manufactured 
Tobacco,  manufactured... 

Other  manufactures 

Miscellaneous 


2, 790, 
395, 
184, 
651, 
3,284, 
134, 
147, 

55, 

1,251, 

866, 

377, 

89, 
646, 

55, 
965, 

50, 


465.  38 
529. 16 
146.00 
866. 50 
042. 00 
940.00 
414.00 
403.00 
355.  60 
293. 00 
029. 72 
217. 00 
140.00 
022. 00 
959. 50 
261. 25 


1,294,&54.00 
488,670.00 
137, 917. 00 
718,871.65 
3, 314, 183. 00 
85,204.22 
140, 626. 08 
127, 957. 00 
871,076.20 
634,462.00 
427, 848. 55 
72, 318. 00 
63,040.00 
56,442.00 
84, 455. 80 
47, 392. 45 


20, 122, 
5, 669, 
1, 181, 
9,021, 
32, 620, 
1,837, 

964, 
1, 383, 
12, 022, 
7, 000, 
7, 466, 

795, 
1,355, 

654, 
3, 123, 

745, 


338. 42 
070. 21 
786. 95 
.501.09 
579. 50 
736. 50 
015. 46 
301.36 
783.00 
676. 50 
481.  50 
672. 99 
653. 00 
229. 09 

783. 94 

877. 95 


16, 849, 
5, 730, 

546, 

10, 228, 

29, 209, 

1,708, 

1,288, 

975, 
8, 534, 
5, 033, 
6, 286, 

615, 
1,4&5, 

626, 
1,359, 

474, 


834. 87 

845. 30 
771. 25 
858.31 
515.00 

770. 78 
771.84 
878. 32 

683. 79 
958. 36 
577. 92 
418.04 
184.00 
462.  08 

442. 31 

623. 32 


Following  is  a  resume  of  the  valuations  of  Mexican  exports  during 
the  periods  under  comparison  with  reference  to  their  countries  of 
destination: 


June — 

Twelvemonth 

•i  ending  June — 

1903. 

1902. 

1903. 

1902. 

$5, 456, 014. 07 

$1,634,046.58 

$47, 407, 134. 08 

30,000.00 

143, 771, 108. 36 

359, 042. 52 

58,251.81 

6, 103, 432. 00 

$23,957,099.32 

500. 00 



12,232,757.43 

13, 700. 00 

3, 369. 00 

641, 746. 00 

11,104,026.78 

90, 897. 75 

2,794.00 

614,033.00 

130,344,432.29 

851,865.16 
60,484.89 

4,688,942.00 

Export  valuations  to  the  United  States  in  1902-3  aggregated 
1143,759,758,  as  compared  with  $130,323,347  in  the  preceding  fiscal 
year. 


•jc.i; 


MEXICO. 


Exports  during  the  first  quarter  of  the  fiscal  year  L903  4.  a-  com 
pared  with  figures  of  the  corresponding  period  in  the  preceding  year, 
were  as  follows: 

I  Declared  BUvei  values.] 


1903   I 


MIM  i:  \  I.    PRODI  I   I* 


Mexican  gold  coin  . 
Foreign  gold  coin  . .. 

Gold  in  bars 

Gold  in  other  forms  , 


810,782.00 

1,683,  ii7.ii: 
197,292. 12 


-      021.00 

2,158.00 

2,283,912.47 

96,727.68 


[ncreas 
..r  decrease 
(-)  1903  I. 


-      124,239.00 
i 
2,899 
100 


Total  gold  exports |      4,  892,343. 19 


Mexican  Bilver  coin 2,723,  163.00 

Foreign  silver  coin 10,526.00 

Silver  in  bars 11,725,  113.47 

Silver  in  other  forms '-'.  9.T7,  WC>.  62 


T(  ital  silver  exports 17,  -117,013.09 


Total  ko1«1  and  silver  — 

Copper  

Lead  

Other  mineral  products 


22,309,356.28 

B.604,  as.  11 

1,370,848.66 
324,648.84 


Total  mineral  products 29,609, 167.09 

I 

VEGETABLE   PP.onri  Ts. 

Coffee 669, 267. 80 

Henlquen 6,774,476.00 

Woods ;is-,  015. 00 

Dye  woods 249, 439. 00 

Lea  Etobacco 102,988. 00 

Other  vegetable  products 3,907,662.70 


Total  vegeta  ble  pn  (ducts 12,  080, 748. 50 

animal  produi  ra. 


■1.  117,819.00  2,  174,524. 19 


10,751.00 
28,916.00 

10,106,  101.37 
884,660.62 


16,746,077.99 


-  2,064,61  i.OO 
is.  165  00 

•  1,619,012,  10 

•  2,073 


■ 


19, 163,896.99 

1,668,881.96 

1,814,702  00 

150,683  87 


:;.  1 15,  189.29 
945,631.  16 
66 
178,864  '•■ 


•J.VJss.l.il.sl 


896,312.60 
6,586,991.00 
lis.  U2.90 
236,032.37 
119,245.00 
2,746,842.23 


-    4,321 


-  287,1 

+      187. 

-  61,  197.90 

4-        1 1 
1-. 
-    1. 160,810.  I. 


11,032,986.00     +  1,047,812.51 


Cattle 

Raw   hides 

Other  animal  products. 


1.111,132.00        1,497,461.60  386 

1,372,796.87         1,281,789.10  8,792.23 

168,069.00  162,881.00  819.00 


Total  animal  products 

MANUFACTURED  PRODI  CT8, 


2,637, 128.87        3,031,931.60 


394,812.73 


Beniquen  rope,  bagging,  etc 

Tobacco,  manufactured 

i )ihcr  manufactured  products 

Total  manufactured  products 

Miscellaneous 


847,205.00 

99, 193.24 

1.182,007.50 


377,883.00 
152,613.00 
290, 160.25 


30,178.00 

63,319.76 

891,857.25 


1,628,  106. 74 


820,046.26  808,359.  19 


316, 360. 13 


172,070.07 


SUMMARY  OF  EXPORTS. 


$22,309,356.28 
23,790,293.98 

119,163,896.99 
21,826,441.80 

IS,  1  16,459.29 

-    2,464,862.18 

Total 

46,099,660.26 

40, 489, 33s.  79 

+  6,610,311.47 

The  value  of  the  merchandise  exported  is  stated  in  silver  currency, 
as  declared  by  the  exporters  in  the  custom-houses,  at  current  commer- 
cial prices;  to  the  value  of  the  gold  is  added  the  difference  between  the 
prices  calculated  at  the  conventional  rate  of  £*>75.416  per  kilogram 
and  the  commercial  price  as  declared  by  the  exporters;  the  value  of 
the  silver  exported  is  calculated  at  the  conventional  rate  of  $40,915 
per  kilogram. 


HENIQUEN    EXPORTS. 


267 


This  rectification  makes  the  general  statement  of  the  exports  in  the 

two  periods  under  comparison  as  follows: 

Exports,  first  quarter — 

1903-4 $52,  480,  932.  22 

1902-3 43,938,721.84 

Increase,  1903-4 _ 8,  542,  210.  38 

equal  to  an  increase  of  19.44  per  cent  in  the  trade  of  the  first  three 
months  of  the  current  fiscal  year  1903-4  as  compared  with  the  corre- 
sponding period  of  1902-3. 

Agricultural  'products. — The  following  tables  show  the  returns  of 
exportations  in  the  fiscal  years  of  1890-91  to  1901-2  on  heniquen,  rub- 
ber, chicle  gum.  cabinet  woods,  and  dyewoods: 


Heniquen, 

Fiscal  year.      unmanufac- 
tured. 

Cordage. 

Dyewoods. 

Woods. 

Ordinary. 

Cabinet. 

Kilos. 
1890-91 53,531,119 

Kilos. 

150,630 

234, 440 

10,  921 

17,911 

13, 435 

12,  729 

6,162 

61,047 

656, 650 

3, 386, 693 

2, 275, 932 

3,762,530 

Kilos.            Kilos. 
92  150          n7  '?'>•! 

Kilos. 
32, 287, 105 
23, 186, 127 
33,263,061 
48, 110, 614 
68, 399, 335 
108, 896, 408 
72.867,009 
54,1 509. 702 
37, 350, 459 
47,493,811 
42, 169, 692 
40, 626, 944 

Cu.  meters. 

1,008 

.4, 604 

2,483 

960 

533 

662 

826 

323 

944 

24,719 

19, 160 

12, 692 

Cu.  meters. 
53, 576 
54, 077 
39,666 
44, 135 
118,667 

56. 271 
65, 699 
71, 518 
75. 663 
50, 629 
69, 692 

52. 272 

1891-92 56,103,279 

64, 183 

53, 481 

76, 830 

85, 986 

82, 943 

64, 843 

87, 420 

191,588 

260, 175 

189, 048 

180, 364 

1, 133,  717 

799, 006 

1,202,601 

758, 471 

1, 448, 805 

2, 122, 337 

891, 612 

968,406 

845, 386 

1, 173, 700 

1,804,153 

1892-93r ■      60,413,136 

1893-94 56,507,450 

1895-96 !      59, 329, 309 

1896-97 71,085,535 

1897-98 !      75,183,816 

1898-99 70,998,509 

1899-1900 79,  432,  207 

1900-1901 75,840,465 

1901-2 91, 944, 355 

Total 817,513,053 

Average.  |      68,126.088 

10, 589, 080 
882,  423 

1,431,111 
119,259 

14,265,418 
1,188,784 

618, 160, 307 
51,513,358 

68, 914 
5,  742 

751,865 
62, 656 

Heniquen  exports. — The  figures  referring  to  heniquen,  of  which 
the  production  has  steadily  risen,  are  the  most  t}rpical,  and  at  the 
same  time  the  rate  of  exchange  and  the  gold  price  of  the  fiber  on  the 
New  York  market  have  also  advanced. 

The  following  table,  embracing  the  same  number  of  years  as  the  fore- 
going, shows  the  exportation  of  unmanufactured  heniquen,  expressed 
in  kilograms,  its  value  in  silver  and  in  gold,  and,  moreover,  the  mean 
rate  of  exchange: 


1882-83  . . 
1883-84  .. 
1884-85  .. 
1885-86  . . . 
1886-87  . . . 
1887-88  ... 
lss.s-.sy  .. 
L889-90... 
1890-91  . . 
1891-92  . . . 
1892-93  . . 
1893-94  . . 
1894-95  . . 
1895-96  . . 
1896-97  . . . 
1897-98  . . . 
1898-99  . . . 
1899-1900  . 
1900-1901  . 
1901-2  . . . . 


Average 


Unmanu- 

Va 

ue. 

Mean  rate 

factured 

heniquen. 

Silver. 

Gold. 

change. 

h'i/ns. 

Per  cent. 

28,  763, 307 

S3, 073,  960 

82,  748, 120 

0.894 

45,180,421 

3, 923, 673 

3, 460,  689 

.882 

45,549,367 

3, 905, 898 

3,417,660 

.875 

39,474,732 

2,844,355 

2, 457, 522 

.864 

38,987,930 

3, 799, 396 

3, 100, 307 

.816 

36,450,676 

6, 160, 164 

4,866,529 

.790 

38, 159,067 

6, 818, 658 

5, 175, 361 

.759 

39,174,525 

7, 356, 479 

5,  435, 537 

.739 

53,531,119 

7,021,306 

5,617,044 

.080 

56,  103,279 

6, 3-58, 220 

4,514,336 

.071 

60, 413, 136 

8, 889, 845 

5,318,382 

.  632 

56, 507,  740 

6, 712,  733 

3, 389, 930 

.505 

67,143,583 

7, 720, 068 

3,962,459 

.513 

59,329,309 

7, 763, 821 

3,  625,  408 

.536 

71,085,535 

7,431,852 

2, 750, 517 

.506 

75,183,816 

11,564,619 

5,  ISO.  905 

.448 

70, 99S, 509 

IS, 711, 325 

8, 813, 034 

.471 

79, 432, 207 

26,099,388 

12.423,309 

.476 

75, 840, 465 

16,402,316 

8, 004,  330 

.488 

91,944,355 

29, 209, 515 

12,881,396 

.441 

68,126,088 

•JCs 


M  I-  \  K'n. 


Exports  of  henequen  during  the  calendar  year  L903,  from  Yucatan 
through  the  porta  of  Progreso  and  Campeche,  consisted  <>t'  611,939 
bales,  valued  at  136,040,032.32.  The  distribution  of  the  bales  was  as 
follows: 

United  Btatee 596,676 

Cuba 8,066 

England t,  286 

Canada [,200 

France',  Spain,  <  rermany,  Belgium 1,711 


Tntiil 


611,939 


The  exports  of  henequt'n  during  the  last  five  years  were 


1899 445,  978 

1900 499,  626 

1901 617,619 

1902 628,  _  I'. 

1903 611,  939 

('up',,  exports.  The  quantity  of  coffee  exported  by  Mexico  in  VM^l 
was  22,566,013  kilograms,  or  49,735,493  pounds.  This  amount  was 
produced  by  the  following  States  and  Territories: 


Kilnv 

Lower  California 60 

Coahnila 1,632 

Colima 9,760 

Chiapas 2,  134,313 

Chihuahua 112, 249 

Oaxaca 676,  165 

Sinaloa 82,381 


Kiloe. 

90 

19,558 

85,152 

26,615 

Veracruz  19,285,608 


Sonora 

Tabasco. . . 
Tamaulipae 
Tepic 


Total 22,666,013 


The  value  declared  in  the  invoices   presented  at  the  custom-houses 
amounted  to  $10,614,759  Mexiean  currency. 
The  distribution  of  the  coffee  exported  was  as  follows: 


Kilnv 


Germany 3,  532,  782 


56, 070 

12,261 

32, 480 

51,893 

4, 130 

Spain 1 H3, 428 


Austria  . 
Belgium 
Canada  . 
Cuba  ... 
Chile.  .. 


Kill  >v. 

United  States 15,029,797 

France 1,945,748 

Holland 42,986 

Great  Britain 1,694,167 

Italy 264 


Total 22,666,013 


General  export  trade.  -For  the  fiscal  year-  L900-1901  and  L901-2. 
Mexican  exports  to  the  rest  of  the  world  are  estimated  by  the 
"Anuario  Estadistico  Fiscal."  1901-2,  at  the  following  figures,  showing 

an  increase  of  $11,244,322  in  favor  of  the  latter  year: 


SILVKK    AND    GOLD    VALUES. 


269 


1900-1901. 

1901-2. 

825,731,057 

823, 957, 009 
500 

117,229,711 

504, 091 

47, 626 

5, 146, 515 

130,344,432 
851,865 

60,484 
4, 688, 942 

T(  ital 

148,659,000 

159, 903, 322 

The  principal  countries  where  Mexico  sent  its  products  during  said 
two  fiscal  years  were  the  following-: 


Increase 
crease  ( - 


-  orde- 
)  1902. 


United  States 

Great  Britain 

Cuba 

Germany 

Belgium 

France  

Guatemala 

British  Honduras. 


8117,228,991.15       8130,323,347.29 


12, 033, 076. 81 
5,146,515.00 
5,018,464.02 
4, 422, 728. 41 
2, 824, 303. 13 
366, 388. 60 
109,  055.  00 


10, 572, 484. 29 
4,688,942.00 
4,813,313.54 
5, 485, 793.  50 
2, 215, 306. 60 
473,  288.  64 
88, 160. 00 


+13, 091, 356. 14 

-  1,460,592.52 

-  457, 573. 00 

-  205, 150. 48 
+  1,063,065.09 

608, 996. 53 
106, 900. 04 
20, 895. 00 


+ 


Silver  and  gold  values. — "El  Economists  Mexicano"  of  August  8, 
1903,  publishes  the  following  very  interesting  statement  showing  the 
amount,  in  Mexican  silver  dollars,  of  Mexico's  export  trade  during 
each  fiscal  year  from  1881-82  to  1901-2,  the  average  value  of  the 
Mexican  silver  dollar  in  New  York  during  each  year  of  that  period, 
and  these  annual  amounts  reduced  from  silver  to  gold  at  the  corre- 
sponding yearly  average  value  of  the  Mexican  silver  dollar  in  New 
York: 


Exports, 
silver  value. 


1881-82 829, 

1882-83 41, 

1883-84 46, 

1884-85 46, 

1885-86 43, 

1886-87 49, 

1887-88 40, 

1888-89 60, 

1889-90 62, 

1890-91 63, 

1891-92 75, 

1892-93 88, 

1893-94 80, 

1S94-95 •  95, 

1 895-96 110, 

1 S96-97 117, 

1897-98 138, 

1898-99 148, 

1899-1900 158, 

1900-1901 |  158, 

1901-2 168, 


206, 772 
919, 182 
Mil.  117 
811,958 
797, 249 
329, 915 
078, 717 
380, 287 
680, 539 
425, 746 
660,880 
044, 624 
083, 944 
020, 326 
022, 356 
784, 092 
068, 504 
453, 834 
247, 933 
009, 437 
041,272 


It  is  apparent  from  these  figures  that  while  the  silver  value  of  Mex- 
ico's exports  in  this  period  of  twenty-one  years  has  increased  very 


•J  7<i 


MK.XK  O. 


ootably,  the  gold  value  has  not  increased  in  corresponding  propor- 
tion. These  figures  show  that  the  increase  in  Mexico's  exports  in 
silver  value  in  L901-2  is  $138,834,500  over  the  exports  in  L881  82; 
the  apparent  increase  in  gold  value  is  only  $47,995,347,  applying  the 
average  value  of  the  Mexican  dollar  in  each  respective  year.  Bui  if 
the  average  value  of  the  Mexican  dollar  in  L881  82,  namely,  0.894,  i- 
applied  to  the  silver  value  of  the  exports  in  L901-2,  the  result  is  a  gold 
value  of  $150,000,000  in  round  numbers,  aa  compared  with  $74,000,000 
gold  value,  which  results  from  the  average  value  of  the  Mexican  dol- 
lar in  L901-2,  namely,  0.441,  clearly  showing  a  loss  for  Mexico  of 
$76,000,000  in  her  own  silver  dollars. 

Lwe  Stock-  The  Mexican  consul  at  Habana,  in  an  interesting  report 
made  to  his  Government  concerning  the  exportation  of  live  stock 
from  Mexico  to  Cuba,  recommends  that  the  stock  should  come  from 
the  warmer  regions  of  the  Mexican  Republic  and  not  from  the  colder 
portions  or  high  table-lands,  inasmuch  as  stock  from  the  latter  places 
are  hard  to  fatten  and  die  in  considerable  numbers  before  they  become 
acclimated.  At  the  present  time  there  is  a  greater  demand  in  Cuba 
for  Mexican  cattle  than  there  is  for  horses  and  mules.  Bulls  are 
more  sought  after  in  the  Cuban  markets  than  steers,  and  mares  find  a 
readier  sale  than  either  horses  or  mules.  But  few  Mexican  neat  cattle 
are  imported  into  Cuba.  A  large  number  of  lean  cattle  are  bought  by 
the  stock  growers  and  planters  to  be  fattened  on  Cuban  plantations 
and  haciendas. 

IMPORTS. 

For  the  fiscal  year  1902-3  and  the  twelve  months  ending  in  June, 
1903,  the  imports  of  Mexico,  according  to  official  figures,  were  valued 
as  follows: 

IMPORTS. 
[Gold  valuation.] 


June — 

Twelve  months  ending  Jun< — 

1903. 

1902. 

1903. 

1902. 

Mineral  substances 

Chemical  and  pharmaceutical  bud- 

1402,354.92 
1,030,737.92 
2,281,675.  18 

779.  918. 69 

312, 553. 08 
304.239.59 
192,347.14 
1,037,247.56 
177,357.89 
223,230.76 
193. 940. 32 

646. 70 

97:1.059.23 

2,807,946.37 

698, 844. 34 

228,289.25 

323,042.21 
198,198.80 

1, 007.011. M 

14,740,354.56 

13,525,221.49 

24,014,996.58 

080.64 

■J,  791 . 1 

-  582,  18 
11,108,  111.61 
21,22! 
8,409 

2.  Uis,496.88 

3,133,238.06          2,852,687.99 

1,925,280.46          1,922,830.79 

10. 337.060. 06  i        8,398, 1*5. 96 

185.917.M'        1,712,989.68          1,401,127.34 

Anns  ami  explosives 

120,761. K3  '      1. 796,991. S5  |        1,401,604.52 
186,726.92  1      2,167,918.80          1,964,279.40 

Total 

6.935.603.28  j      7,211,445.01       75.901,754.96         66,228,987.97 

The  valuation  of  Mexican  imports  during  the  periods  under  com- 
parison with  reference  to  their  countries  of  origin  is  as  follow-: 


IMPOKTS. 


271 


Country. 


June — 


Twelve  months  ending  June — 


1903. 


Europe 83, 157, 134. 85 

Asia 86, 505. 73 

Africa 9. 720. 00 

Xorth  America 3, 651, 358. 12 

Central  America 3,624.08 

South  America 17,412.50 

West  Indies 9, 316. 00 

( )ceania 532. 00 


82,  777, 338. 73 

51,076.74 

6, 615. 75 

4,357,323.44 

1,427.85 

13, 038. 50 

5, 430. 00 

194.00 


$34,205,291.69 

696, 718.  46 
80,348.69 
40,514,545.21 
21,931.04 
195,444.19 
129,554.93 
57,920.75 


1902. 


526, 379, 200. 51 
514,319.08 

25, 030. 06 

39,032,190.63 

32,997.93 

156,101.38 
53,851.65 
35, 296.  73 


Of  the  total  valuation  of  imports  for  the  fiscal  year  1902-3  the  United 
States  furnished  $40,496,671.96,  as  compared  with  139,016,676.08  in 
the  preceding-  year. 

Imports  for  the  first  quarter  of  the  fiscal  year  1903-4,  as  compared 
with  the  corresponding  figures  for  1902-3,  show  the  following  fluctua- 


tions 


[Invoice  gold  values.] 


Classification. 


Animal  substances 

Vegetable  substances 

Mineral  substances 

Dry  goods — draperies 

Chemical  and  pharmaceutical  substances 

Beverages— spirituous,  fermented,  and  natural  . 

Paper  and  its  applications 

Machinery  and  apparatus 

Vehicles . . 

Arms  and  explosives 

Miscellaneous 


,  155, 
,776, 
,  529, 
,322, 
701, 
770, 
480, 
.  239. 
525, 
387, 
;.ii(t. 


318.88 

945. 96 
005. 85 
315. 32 
736. 38 

389.  66 
508. 49 
701.00 
534. 09 
685. 62 
343. 68 


Total 17, 449, 484. 93 


Increase  (+) 
or  decrease 
(-),  1903-4. 


51, 043, 

2,  745, 

6,121, 

2.  475, 

667, 

768, 

487, 

2, 573, 

379, 

368, 

479, 


445. 90 
068. 67 
455. 75 

735. 21 
253. 01 
691. 29 
681. 12 

380. 22 
329. 28 
024. 19 
255.  90 


+5111, 
+    31, 

-  592, 

-  135, 
+  34, 
+      1, 

7, 

-  333, 
+  146, 
+  19, 
+    81, 


872. 98 
877. 29 
449. 90 
419.89 
483. 37 
698. 37 
172. 63 
679. 22 
204. 81 
661.43 
087.  78 


18,091,320.54 


641,835.61 


Reducing  these  gold  values  to  Mexican  silver  currency,  at  the  cus- 
toms equivalents,  the  results  are: 


Gold  value.       M™cur" 

1903-4  

517,449,484.93       539,998,818.13 
18,091,320.54         43,871.390.67 

641,835.61          3,882,572.54 

1902-3  

1  teerease.  11103-1 

The  decrease  in  1903-4  is  equal  to  8.85  per  cent  in  the  imports  as 
compared  with  the  same  period  in  1902-3. 

Imports  for  the  fiscal  year  1900-1901  and  1901-2  from  all  countries 
are  officially  estimated  at  the  following  figures,  showing  an  increase 
of  $1,145,534.68  in  favor  of  1901-2: 


Country. 


Europe 

Asia 

Africa 

North  America... 
Central  America. 
South  America... 

West  Indies 

Other  countries . . 


1900-1901. 


1901-2. 


528.956,971.89 
545,410.29 

26, 938. 62 
35,201,400.35 
70, 044. 75 
140,212.27 
58, 009. 00 
84,466.12 


826, 


39 


379, 200. 51 
514,319.08 

25, 030. 06 
032, 190. 63 

32, 997. 93 
156,101.38 

53,851.65 

35, 296.  73 


Total 65, 083,  153.  29         66, 228, 987. 97 


272  mexioo. 

The  principal  countries  represented  in  the  import  trade  of   Mexico 

were  tin-  following: 

in.  p  ase       01 

1900-1901.  L901-2.  il.-.T.-;,-, 

1902. 


United  States. 
Greal  Britain. 

Germany 

Prance 

Spain 

Belgium 

Itnlv  


$35, 189, 966.8       (89,016,676.08         $3,826,720.28 


9,924,653.34 
7,079,958.15 
6,564,235.65 
2,856,774.65 
758, 706.  56 


8,264,127.08  1,660,  126.26 

6,  125,203.24  627,749.91 

6,285,858.72  278,376.93 

2,720,072.77  186,701.88 

1,074,743.17  816,036.61 


536,208.16  397,450.00     -       I8t 


Of  the  total  imports  during  the  year  in  reference  $14,77*. 7oc>. 44 
were  tree  of  duty,  while  the  dutiable  goods  amounted  to  £51.450.2*7. 

The  leading  among  the  free  articles  imported  were  railroad  material, 

$2,372,746;  coal.  $2,123,869;  coke,  $2,088,670;   lumber  and  timber. 

$1,875,347;  mineral  substances,  SI. 728. <»77:  railway  cars  and  coaches 
and  repairs,  $780,677. 

Among  the  dutiable  goods  the  largest  imports  were  as  shown  below: 

Animals  and  animal  products: 

Live  stock  (all  kinds) $567,  506 

Wool 192,  7'  17 

I  taw  skins  and  hides 81,102 

Canned  meats,  lish.  butter,  etc 516,  472 

Butter 119,  558 

Condensed  milk ". 71,543 

Lard 766,  757 

Cheese 181, 078 

Stearin 244, 610 

Furs  and  skins,  and  manufactures  of 524, 880 

Boots  and  shoes 705, 000 

Manufactured  animal  products 355, 439 

Vegetable  substances: 

Ginned  cotton 1,271.  968 

Other  fibers 1 26, 112 

( iacao  (all  kinds) 165, 834 

Dried  fruits 165,  215 

Wheat  and  other  cereals 1,  439,  400 

Almonds  (all  kinds) ,  shelled 168, 664 

Freeh  fruits,  etc 350, 639 

Virginia  leaf  tobacco 203, 976 

Olive  oil 124,986 

(  ntton-seed  oil  (crude) 904, 167 

Lumber  and  timber 217,326 

Manufactures  of  wood 386, 803 

Bags  and  bagging 30s.  2 1 3 

Furniture  (all  kinds) 62H.  910 

Mineral  substances: 

Gold,  silver,  and  platinum,  and  manufactures  of 191,  020 

Copper  and  alloys,  in  bars  and  plates 127,  709 

Copper  and  alloys,  manufactures  of 807,  731 

Manufactures  of  tin,  lead,  and  zinc 206,  311 

Iron  wire  for  fences - 362,  95<> 

Plows  and  plowshares ,,,-.- - -  79, 039 


IMPORTS.  273 

Mineral  substances — Continued. 

Iron  pipes  (all  sizes) $1, 040 

Agricultural  implements 237 

Iron  hands 210 

Iron  sheets  for  roofing  (all  kinds) 662 

Tin  plates 237 

Iron  girders  and  beams 470 

Manufactures  of  tin,  galvanized  iron,  etc 291 

Manufactures  of  iron,  enameled,  etc 145 

Manufactures  of  iron,  not  specified 506 

Nails,  tacks,  screws,  etc 343 

Lime,  Portland  cement,  etc 410 

Mineral  oils  (crude) 654 

Paraffin 289 

Glass  bottles 300 

China  and  earthen  ware 325 

Crystal  and  glassware,  n.  e.  s 470 

Textiles,  and  manufactures  of: 

Cotton  thread,  on  spools 703 

Cotton  thread,  in  balls  and  skeins 236 

Lace  of  all  kinds,  and  manufactures  of,  n.  e.  s 225 

Cottons,  not  more  than  30  threads  per  square  of  5  millimeters 622 

The  same,  over  30  threads 1 27 

(  otton  prints,  not  exceeding  30  threads  per  square  of  5  millimeters. . .  578 

The  same,  exceeding  30  threads 126 

Cotton  cloth,  openwork  or  embroidered 26 

Stockinet  and  manufactures  of,  n.  e.  s 351 

Cotton  braids,  trimmings,  etc 137 

Elastic  webbing 22 

Cotton  edgings,  insertions,  etc.,  embroidered  with  cotton,  linen,  wool, 

or  silk 147 

Cloth,  linen,  hemp,  or  other  like  fibers,  white,  drab,  or  colored,  plain 

woven,  over  12  threads  per  square  of  5  millimeters 204 

Woolen  cloths  (all  weavings  and  kinds) 1,  297 

Silk  fabrics  (all  weavings  and  kinds) 301 

Articles  and  manufactures  of  silk,  n.  e.  s 292 

Cloth  of  silk  warp,  and  cotton,  linen,  or  wool  filling,  or  vice  versa...  412 

Articles  of  silk,  with  mixture  of  cotton,  linen,  or  wool,  all  kinds 285 

Chemical  and  pharmaceutical  products: 

Drugs  and  medicines  of  all  kinds 289 

Colors,  powdered,  in  crystals,  or  prepared 421 

Caustic  soda  and  potash 287 

Sulphate  of  copper,  iron,  and  ammonia 268 

Spirituous,  fermented,  and  natural  beverages: 

Rum,  in  glass 700 

Rum,  in  casks 166 

Beer  and  cider,  in  ijlass 161 

White  and  red  wine,  in  the  wood . . ! 1,  060 

White  and  red  wine,  in  the  glass. 388 

Sparkling  wines 166 

Paper  and  its  manufactures: 

Wrapping  paper 192 

Cigarette  paper 351 

Cardboard,  manufactures  of,  n.  <•.  s 131 

509a— 04 IS 


•J  7  4  Mi:.\i«  «>. 

Machinery  and  apparatus:  • 

I'um] >s  and  turbines $161,  420 

Hardware  of  all  kinds  for  tradee 491,529 

Musical  instruments  (all  kinds 368,097 

stcai  ii  engines,  and  parts  of r 2,  190 

Machinery  and  apparatus  of  all  kind.-,  n.  e.  s.,  for  power  other  than 

band  or  foot 3,636,063 

The  Bame,  for  fool  or  hand  power 

Printing  and  lithographic                                riea .' 168,700 

Vehicles: 

( 'art-,  wagons,  and  cars  w  it  limit  Bprings,  for  freight 106 

Wheelbarrows,  one  or  two  \\  heels 187,721 

( ferriages,  all  kinds,  n.  e.  s 1  ~s.  423 

Arms  and  explosives: 

Breech-loading  firearms,  of  all  kind-,  and  accessories 211,  855 

Loaded  and  empty  si  id  Is  for  firearms 135,  608 

Dynamite  and  other  explosives,  n.  e.  s "13, 101 

I'm-.-  and  detonators  for  mining 96,  816 

Miscellaneous: 

Lubricating  nils 171,620 

Manufactures  of  gutta-percha  a;  I  celluloid,  n.  e.  s 200,345 

Hat-,  all  kinds,  and  accessories '■'•:>i'. 971 

Rubber  belts  for  machinery 100,  267 

Rubber  hose " 114,119 

Iron,  steel,  and  wood  buildings.  -     283,  776 

Perfumery 205,818 

TRADE    WITH    THE    UNITED   STATES. 

Figures  issued  by  the  Bureau  of  Statistics  of  the  Treasury  Depart- 
ment of  the  United  State-  -how  that  the  trade  of  Mexico  with  the 
United  States  has  grown  more  rapidly  than  that  with  any  other  pari 
of  the  world.     The  exports  from  theiUnited  Kingdom  to  Mexico  grew 

from  $8,000, in  1831  to  $10,250,000  in  L900;  those  from  France  to  • 

Mexico  fell  from  $9,000,000  in  L881  to  $7,000,000  in  L899;  those  from 
Germany  grew  from  $700,000  in  L881  to  $5,000,000  in  L899,  and  those 

from  Spain  from  $871,000  in  1881   to  a  little  less  than  $2, ,000  in 

L900;  while  from  the  United  States  the  exports  to  Mexico  grew  from 
$11,000,000  in  1881  to  $35,000,000  in  1900  and  over  $40,000,000  in 
L902.  Imports  of  Mexican  goods  by  the  United  State-  have  expanded 
in  the  same  period  from  $28,000,000  to  $41,000,000.  It  will  thus  be 
seen  that  Mexico  occupies  a  unique  position  in  the  ranks  of  the  nations 
with  which  the  United  States  transacts  a  considerable  exchange,  as  it 
i-  with  this  country  alone  that  a  balance  between  exports  and  imports 
is  preserved.  From  the  West  Indies  the  United  States  imports  are 
nearly  twice  as  large  a-  it-  exports.  To  Canada  the  United  State- 
sell-  twice  a-  much  as  she  buys;  from  South  America  the  receipts  are 
three  times  as  great  as  the  exportation  values,  while  Europe  takes  from 
the  United  States  threefold  what  she  finds  a  market  for  in  the  latter 
country. 


TRADE    WITH    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


275 


Contiguity,  quick  rail  communication,  and  the  presence  of  large 
United  States  interests  in  Mexico  are  the  principal  causes  of  the  rapid 
gains  which  the  United  States  is  making  over  her  rivals  in  the  trade 
of  Mexico.  Over  9,000  miles  of  railroad  are  now  in  operation  in  Mex- 
ico, bringing  all  parts  of  that  country  into  direct  communication  with 
the  United  States,  and  according  to  the  statement  before  quoted  fur- 
nished to  the  State  Department  by  the  United  States  consul  in  Mex- 
ico, fully  1400,000,000  of  capital  from  the  United  States  is  invested  in 
that  country,  and  many  citizens  of  the  United  States  are  located  tem- 
porarily or  otherwise  in  Mexico.  Mexico  is  the  one  country  south  of 
the  United  States  to  which  her  exports  show  an  appreciable  growth. 
To  the  Central  American  States  United  States  exports  in  1890  were 
$5,296,478,  and  in  1902  they  were  $6,322,685;  to  South  America  in 
1890  United  States  exports  were  represented  by  $33,752,648,  and  in 
1902  they  were  $38,043,617;  to  the  West  Indies  they  were  $33,197,222 
in  1890,  and  $43,632,951  in  1902,  while  to  Mexico  they  were  $13,285,287 
in  1890,  and  advanced  to  $39,873,606  in  1902  (fiscal  }^ear),  while  for 
the  calendar  year  1902  they  are  estimated  at  more  than  $40,000,000. 

The  most  important  exports  from  the  United  States  to  Mexico  con- 
sist of  manufactures  of  iron  and  steel,  machineiw,  unmanufactured 
cotton,  lumber,  manufactured  wood,  manufactures  of  cotton,  and  gun- 
powder. Mexico's  exports  to  the  United  States  are  chiefly  textile 
fibers,  especially  sisal  or  henequen,  coffee,  hides,  cattle,  lead,  copper, 
and  tobacco,  and  in  addition  to  these  there  are  large  quantities  of  sil- 
ver in  ore  and  considerable  gold  which  are  not  included  in  the  figures 
given  for  exports  of  merchandise. 

In  the  year  ended  June  30,  1903,  the  value  of  goods  imported  from 
Mexico  amounted  to  $41,313,711,  while  on  the  other  hand,  she  pur- 
chased from  United  States  merchants  $42,257,106  worth.  According 
to  the  latest  available  Mexican  statistics,  about  60  per  cent  of  the  total 
value  of  goods  imported  by  that  country  in  the  fiscal  }rear  1902  came 
from  the  United  States,  as  compared  with  a  little  over  55  per  cent  in 
1890.  Of  the  goods  exported  from  Mexico  the  United  States  took 
about  80  per  cent  in  1902  and  about  68  per  cent  in  1890. 

The  following  table  shows  the  value  of  United  States  exports  to  and 
imports  from  Mexico  at  decennial  periods  from  1850  to  1900,  and 
annually  from  that  date: 


Year. 

Exports. 

Imports. 

"i  ear. 

Exports. 

Imports. 

1850 

1860 

1870 

82,012,827 
5,324,713 
5, 859, 700 
7,866,493 

13, 285, 287 

8575, 200 

1,903,431 

2,715,665 

7,209,593 

22, 690, 915 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

$34.  974,  961 
36",  475, 350 
39, 873, 606 
42,257,106 

828, 646, 053 
28,851,635 
40  382,5% 

1880 

1890 

41,313,711 

276  Mexico. 

This  table  shows  that  while  United  States  commerce  with  Mexico 
varies  considerably,  the  trade  in  both  directions  has  more  than  main 
tained  its  satisfactory  volume. 

Copper  and  vegetable  fibers  form  the  largest  individual  items  of 
United  States  imports  from  Mexico,  and  iron  and  steel  products  con- 
stitute the  largest  exports  to  that  country  from  the  United  States.  In 
L902  United  States  imports  of  copper  ore  and  regulus  were  almost 
110,000,000,  as  compared  with  less  than  1100,000  in  1892;  import- of 
pigs,  bars,  ingots,  etc.,  of  copper  increased  in  the  same  time  from 
$84,00o  to  nearly  $3,750,000.  In  1892  no  copper  ore  was  exported  to 
Mexico,  but  in  1902  nearly  $700,000  worth  was  so  exported.  Of 
unmanufactured  vegetable  fibers  (mainly  sisal  grass  or  henequen), 

United  States  imports  increased  from  $5,500,000  to  over  $12,1 ,000, 

while  of  the  manufactures  of  these  materials,  imports  increased  from 
$6,000  to  nearly  $650,000,  and  the  exports  from  $58,000  to  $228,000. 
Hides  and  skins  were  imported  to  the  value  of  nearly  $3,500,000  in 
li»i»i> — more  than  double  the  1S!»2  value — while  of  leather  and  its  manu- 
factures the  value  of  exports  increased  from  $61,000  to  $818, ono.  Im- 
ports of  coffee  fell  off  during  tin1  decade  from  over  $1,000,000  to  less 
than  $3,000,0oit. 

Exports  of  iron  and  steel  not  only  constitute  the  largest  item  of 
trade  between   Mexico  and  the  United  States,  hut  show  the  largest 

growth   in  the  last   ten  year-,  export-  of  machinery  al i  increasing 

from  about  Sl.50o.ooo  to  «,Ver  S7.noo.o0o.  Other  items  which  sho* 
large  gains  are  bread. -tuffs,  vehicles,  chemicals,  coal  and  coke,  copper 
ore,  vegetable  oils,  and  lumber. 

The  following  table  shows  the  values  of  some  of  the  principal  articles 
which  made  up  United  States  trade  with  Mexico  in  1902: 

IMPORTS. 

Cattle $768,  MW 

Chicle 419, 243 

Vanilla  Leans 390, 344 

( \  >ffee 2,  836, 614 

( '.  >pper  i  >re 9, 934, 1  »7 

Copper  pigs,  bars,  ingots,  etc .">,  71  <>,  749 

sisal  grass  or  henequen 11,  609,087 

Other  unmanufactured  vegetable  fibers 582,466 

Hides  and  skins 3,  489,  647 

Lead  in  ere  and  base  1  ml  lien 3,622, 03»> 

Mahogany 44o,  37-1 

EXPORTS. 

Agricultural  implements ,.--  230,324 

Cattle 225, 138 

Breadstuffa 1 ,  722, 915 

Cars,  carriages,  etc 1,220,189 

Chemicals,  dyes,  etc 1,088,  547 


TRADE    WITH    THE    EXITED    SPATES. 


277 


Coal  and  coke $2,  687, 169 

Copper  ore - 699,  677 

Unmanufactured  cotton 1,  275,  200 

Cotton  manufactures 661,  721 

Glass  and  glassware 379, 105 

Gunpowder  and  other  explosives 979,  233 

Leather,  and  manufactures  of 818,  212 

Iron  and  steel  manufactures: 

Builders'  hardware 685,  025 

Sewing  machines 356, 434 

Machinery 7, 094, 112 

Steam  engines : '. : 918,  222 

All  other 5, 129, 157 

Mineral  oils 760,  202 

Vegetable  oils 1 ,  143, 020 

Lard 702,  082 

Timber 648,  416 

Lumber 2, 000, 119 

Wood  manufactures 1,  073,  677 

The  United  States  Treasury  Bureau  of  Statistics  has  published  a 
table  .showing  the  rapid  growth  in  United  States  exports  to  Mexico  in 
the  fifteen  years  from  1887  to  1901,  a  result  due  to  the  increased  facili- 
ties for  transportation  since  the  opening  of  the  Mexican  Central  and 
Mexican  National  railways.  Till  then  the  trade  of  Mexico  was  carried 
on  by  British  houses,  but  now  the  British  trade  is  conducted  by  a  few 
agencies,  which,  by  means  of  samples  and  catalogues,  procure  orders 
for  goods,  for  there  is  in  Mexico  to-day  no  important  British  com- 
mercial establishment.  For  the  fifteen  years,  the  exports  of  merchan- 
dise from  the  United  States,  United  Kingdom,  France,  German}7,  and 
Spain  were  as  follows  (in  millions  of  dollars): 


Year. 

United 
States. 

United 
Kingdom. 

France. 

Ger- 
many. 

Spain. 

1887 

1888 

7.9 
9.9 
11.5 
13.2 
14.9 
11.3 
19.6 
12.8 
15.0 
19.5 
23.  4 
21.2 
25.5 
34.9 
36.5 

5.8 
5.7 
7.9 
9.8 
9.5 
7.2 
6.1 
6.4 
8.1 
S.2 
8.4 
9.3 
10.7 

7.6 
8.5 
10.8 
10.7 
8.8 
6.8 
5.4 
5.8 
7.5 
6.4 
5.1 
5.8 
.1 

1.1 
1.6 
3.5 
3.5 
3.4 
2.9 
2.9 
2.7 
4.0 
3.7 
4.3 
4.9 
5.1 

1.3 
1.3 

1889 

1890 

1.6 

1.8 

1891 

1.5 

1892 

1.4 

1893 

1.3 

1894  

1.3 

1895 

1.5 

1896 

1.7 

1897 

1.5 

1898 

2.1 

1899...                   

2.9 

1 1)00 

1901 

Figures  for  11)02  and  1903  are  39.8  and  42.2,  respectively,  for  the 
United  States. 

Exports  from  Mexico  to  the  United  States  declared  through  the 
United  States  consulate-general  in  Mexico  City  and  five  of  the  consu- 
lar  agencies — Guadalajara,    Guanajuato.  Oaxaca,  Puebla,  and   Zaca- 


278 


M  l-.XK'o. 


tecas    subordinate  to  it.  show  thai  during  the  fiscal  year  ending  June 
30,  L903,  such  exports  amounted  to  the  following  figures  in  gold: 

City  of  M6xico 12,895,860.55 

Guadalajara 145,296.  18 

Guanajuato L32, 460. 51 

•  tacaca 200, 404.  70 

Puel  »la  511,  274.  95 

Zacatecae 316,  963.  42 


Total 4.  2H2.  261 1.  61 

The   principal    articles   were,    in    round   numbers:    Gold   bullion. 
$2,334,600;   silver  bullion,  1348,160;  gold  dust.  $4,250;   silver  ore, 

$142.01X1:  lead  ore,  $43,4o<>;  gold  ore,  $10, :  coffee,  $87,000;  broom 

root  or  zaeaton,  $:->s.<mm»:  hides,  wot  suited.  $184,000;  other  hides. 
$4,500;  skins  of  all  kinds,  $742, 400;  antique  furniture,  $5. i mm i;  linloe 
essence,  $10,100;  pearls,  $10,000;  onyx,  #12,000;  hate  (palm),  $49,200; 
bats  (straw),  $3,000;  ranilla,-$3,200;  chile,  $6,000;  and  garlic,  $4,700. 
Iron  and  steel  im/porto. — The  following  table  covers  Mexico's  impor- 
tations of  iron  and  steel  for  building  purposes  during  the  years  noted: 


Inm  and 
...  ,  ,.  .  steel  Eor 
"flacalyear-               building 

purposes. 

Machines 
ami  appa- 
ratus. 

Fiscal  year. 

Iron  and 

steel  for 
building 
purposes. 

Machines 
;tn<l  appa- 
ratus. 

1893-94  .                           ...    11,250,582 

83,399,331 
3,574,507 
1,942,920 
4,347,428 

6, 039. 476 

1898-99  

- 

1, 160, 704 
S,  697, 372 

- 

1894-95.   .                                  1,643,  151 

1899-1900  

1895-%                                         2,015,769 

]'.*Hi-iyoi 

9,124,761 

1896  97                                  .      2,066,387 

1901-2  

1897-98 •-',  203, 199 

The  Importations  of  machines  and  apparatus  in  the  fiscal  year 
L902-3  amounted  to  $7,431,871,  against  $5,594,513  for  a  like  period 
in  1902. 


COAL    TRADE. 


The  British  consul  at  Veracruz  reports  to  the  British  Foreign  Office 
on  the  coal  trade  of  his  consular  district,  which  includes  the  ports  of 
Veracruz,  Tuxpam.  and  Coatzacoalcos  in  the  State  of  Veracruz,  Fron- 
tera  in  the  State  of  Tabasco,  Laguna  de  Terminos  and  Oampeche  in 
the  State  of  Campeche,  and  Progreso  in  the  State  of  Yucatan.  This 
report  is  published  in  the  Board  of  Trade  Journal  of  Great  Britain  of 
January  2^.  L903,  and  says  in  part  as  follows: 

"With  the  exception  of  Veracruz,  Coatzacoalcos,  and  Progreso,  the 
importations  of  coal  through  the  ports  mentioned  may  be  considered 
as  nil,  as  the  entire  trade  would  not  amount  to  more  than  1,000  tons 
in  the  course  of  a  year. 

••  Veracruz. — The  quantity  of  coal  arriving  at  the  port  of  Veracruz 
during  the  first  six  months  of  1902  amounted  in  all  to  104,807  tons, 
the  principal  part  of  this  supply  being  drawn  from  the  United  States. 
the  figures  being  7i>,774  tons  from  that  country,  34,025  from  Great 
Britain,  and  a  trifling  quantity  from  Belgium. 


COAL    TRADE.  279 

"■The  coal  from  the  United  States  was  drawn  for  the  most  part  from 
the  State  of  West  Virginia,  whereas  the  stocks  received  from  Great 
Britain  consisted  entirely  of  briquets,  or  patent  fuel,  shipped  from 
Cardiff  and  district,  and  were  for  the  use  of  the  Mexican  Railway 
Company.  The  average  rate  for  charters  at  Veracruz  is  from  200  to 
400  tons  delivery  per  day,  Sundays  and  holidays  excepted.  The  cur- 
rent rate  of  stevedoring  is  35  cents  per  ton  (Mexican  currency)  for 
patent  fuel,  and  for  ordinary  coal  15  cents. 

"The  average  selling  price  of  coal  during  the  period  under  review 
was  from  $11.50  to  $13  per  ton  f .  o.  b.  railway  companies'  cars.  From 
this  must  be  deducted  $1.75  for  dock  dues  and  other  charges,  which, 
calculated  at  the  average  rate  of  exchange  during  the  six  months  of  the 
present  year,  left  a  net  price  to  the  importer  of  from  18s.  to  21s. 
Owing  to  the  closing  of  a  large  number  of  mines  in  the  United  States, 
due  to  the  coal  strike,  sterling  prices  advanced  considerably. 

" Progreso. — The  average  amount  of  coal  consumed  at  the  port  of 
Progreso  ranges  from  800  to  1,000  tons  per  month,  and  is  practically 
all  of  United  States  origin.  The  average  price  for  coal  ranged  from 
$20  to  $22  currency.  This  high  price  is  mainly  due  to  the  fact  that 
ocean  rates  rule  much  higher  to  Progreso  than  to  Veracruz,  prin- 
cipally owing  to  the  facilities  for  discharging  vessels  being  of  the  most 
indifferent  maimer. 

"  Coatzacoalcos.  The  importations  of  coal  have  been  limited  to  some 
few  thousand  tons  introduced  for  the  use  of  the  National  Railway  of 
Tehuantepec  and  the  harbor  improvements  being  carried  out  at  the 
two  terminals  of  this  line,  Salina  Cruz  and  Coatzacoalcos.  respectively. 
Now  that  the  railway  has  been  repaired  and  put  into  such  condition 
that  the  handling  of  public  merchandise  can  be  effected,  the  estimated 
coal  consumption  in  order  to  meet  the  requirements  of  dredges,  rail- 
way and  coast  steamers,  connected  with  same,  will  probably  amount  to 
about  3,ooi)  tons  per  month  and  upward." 

Tampico — The  coal  and  coke  imported  into  Tampico  during  the 
fiscal  year  ended  June  30,  1903,  according  to  figures  forwarded  by 
United  States  Consul  Magi  11.  at  Tampico,  to  the  Department  of  Com- 
merce and  Labor  of  the  United  States,  was  as  follows: 

Coal:  Tons.         Tons. 

United  States 280, 906 

English 31,620 

Ti  »tal 312, 526 

Coke: 

German 1 42,  404 

United  States 29,  860 

English 5, 216 

Total 177, 570 

Total  coal  and  coke 490,  096 


280  MEXICO. 

The  greater  part  of  the  United  States  coal  was  from  Pensacola, 
Fla..  under  contract  for  the  Mexican  Central  Railway,  and  was  fur- 
nished by  the  Louisville  and  Nashville  Railroad,  which  has  excellenl 
facilities  for  loading  coal  into  vessels  at  Pensacola.  The  ( rerman  coke 
was  from  Westphalia,  Germany,  and  waa  shipped  from  the  ports  <>t' 
Amsterdam,  Rotterdam,  and  Antwerp. 

A  new  dock  for  the  discharge  of  coal  and  coke,  under  construction 
by  the  Mexican  Central  Railway,  is  to  he  provided  with  modern 
machinery  for  quick  discharge  of  coal  cargoes. 

Paper  trade. — The  Norwegian  consul-general  in  Mexico,  reporting 
on  the  paper  trade  of  the  Republic,  states  that  Norwegian  goods  are 
recognized  as  the  best  that  are  imported  into  Mexico.  Straw  pulp  is 
imported,  as  well  as  bleached  sulphite  pulp.  Mechanical  pulp  is 
scarcely  consumed.  The  material  is  imported  to  Mexico  free  <>f  duty, 
provided  it  is  perforated,  the  holes  being-  pi  centimeters  from  each 
other  in  all  directions.  Wood  pulp  (chemical  as  well  as  mechanical) 
must  be  shipped  thoroughly  dry  in  order  to  be  salable.  The  pulp  is 
forwarded  in  rolls  or  bales  of  loo  kilograms.  The  packing  consists 
of  coarse  linen  cloth,  paper,  or  thick  wrapping  paper  fastened  by  iron 
hoops  or  steel  wire.  Tying  by  means  of  cord  is  considered  objection- 
able. Low  and  medium  grades  of  wrapping  paper  are  manufactured 
in  Mexico,  where  the  raw  material  is  partly  imported  from  abroad. 
Gray  and  blue  wrapping  paper  for  sugar  packing  i<  sold  from  lo  to 
25  cents  (Mexican  currency)  per  kilogram;  manila  paper  in  rolls  or 
reams,  from  25  to  ."..">  cents  per  kilogram. 

Cheap  cellulose  and  chemical  pulp  paper  are  imported  from  Norway. 
The  prices  range  from  80  cents  to  £1  per  ream.  Cheap  manila  paper 
is  imported  from  the  United  States  and  is  quoted  at  '2\  cents  (gold) 
per  pound.  Better  grades  are  imported,  but  in  lesser  quantities.  The 
duty  is  h'  cents  per  kilogram  (legal  weight).  Tissue  papers  formerly 
were  chiefly  imported  from  England,  but  the  cheaper  grade  that  is 
now  imported  from  Germany  has  diminished  the  English  imports. 
There  is  no  considerable  business  in  this  article.  The  quotations  vary, 
the  color  being  the  foundation  for  their  fixation.  Assorted  tissue 
papers  are  sold  in  very  great  quantities  in  Mexico.  Each  firm  has  a 
different  assortment.     The  duty  is  lo  cents  per  kilogram  (legal  weight). 

Envelopes  come  chiefly  from  the  United  States  and  Germany. 
English  goods  are  of  very  fair  and  elegant  quality,  but  during  recent 
years  the  Mexican  manufactories  have  made  good  progress  in  the 
making  of  envelope  papers,  and  the  home  goods  compete  strongly 
with  the  foreign.     The  duty  is   25  cents  per  kilogram  (legal  weight). 

PORTS   AM)    CUSTOMS    DISTRICTS. 

The  ports  of  Mexico  open  to  foreign  commerce  are  divided  into 
Gulf  and  Pacific  ports,  as  follows: 

Ghdf ports. — Campeche.  Coatzacoalcos,  Chetumal,  Frontera.  Isladel 


TRADE    MOVEMENT.  28] 

Carmen,  Islade  Mujeres,  Progreso,  Puerto  Morelos,  Tampico,  Tiixpam, 

and  Veracruz. 

Pacific  ports. — Acapulco,  Altata,  Bahia  de  la  Magdalena,  Guayuias, 
La  Paz,  Manzanillo,  Mazatlan,  Puerto  Angel,  Salina  Cruz,  San  Bias, 
San  Jose  del  Cabo,  Santa  Rosalia,  Todos  Santos,  and  Tonala. 

The  ports  through  which  the  coast  trade  is  carried  on  on  the  Gulf 
side  are  Alvarado,  Campeche,  Celestun.  Coatzacoalcos,  Champoton, 
Chetumal,  Frontera,  Isla  Aguada,  Isla  del  Carmen.  Nautla,  Palizada, 
Progreso,  Puerto  Morelos,  Tampico,  Tecolutla,  Tlacotalpam,  Tiixpam, 
and  Veracruz;  and  on  the  Pacific  side,  Acapulco,  Agiabampo,  Altata, 
Bahia  de  la  Magdalena,  Chacagua,  Guaymas,  Isla  del  Carmen,  Isla 
Maria  Madre,  La  Paz,  Las  Penas,  Loreto,  Manzanillo,  Mazatlan, 
Muleje,  Perihuete,  Puerto  Angel,  Salina  Cruz,  San  Bias,  San  Jose  del 
Cabo,  San  Quintin,  Todos  Santos,  Santa  Rosalia,  Santo  Domingo, 
Soconusco,  Teconapa,  Tonala,  Topolobampo,  and  Zihuatanejo. 

The  frontier  custom-houses  are  Ciudad  Juarez,  Ciudad  Portirio 
Diaz,  Laredo,  and  Nogales. 

By  a  decree  of  March  31,  1903,  a  new  custom-house  was  established 
at  a  point  called  Las  Vacas,  on  the  Rio  Grande  frontier  and  within  the 
limits  of  the  State  of  Coahuila.  It  is  known  as  the  uAduana  Fron- 
teriza  de  Las  Vacas,'-  the  jurisdiction  of  which  commences  at  a  point 
25  kilometers  north  from  Colombia,  in  Nuevo  Leon,  and  continues  for 
25  kilometers  north  of  Las  Vacas,  where  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Ciudad 
Portirio  Diaz  custom-house  ends. 

The  domestic  trade  of  the  Republic  is  carried  on  mainly  by  means 
of  the  railways  and  coastwise  vessels,  while  the  foreign  trade  with  the 
United  States  is  maintained  by  railroads  and  ocean  steamers,  and  with 
the  other  nations  of  the  world  by  steam  and  sailing  vessels. 

The  "Boletin  de  Estadistica  Fiscal^  for  1901-2  estimates  the  for- 
eign trade  movement  as  follows: 

The  number  of  incoming  vessels  direct  from  abroad,  at  the  Gulf 
ports  and  Pacific  ports,  was  906  steamers  with  a  cargo  of  906,999  met- 
ric tons  of  1,000  kilograms,  and  553  sailing  vessels  with  a  cargo  of 
187,701  metric  tons,  or  a  total  of  1,159  vessels  with  a  total  cargo  of 
1,091,700  metric  tons,  divided  as  follows:  Gulf  ports,  671  steamers  and 
420  sailing  vessels;  and  Pacific  ports,  235  steamers  and  133  sail;  1,091 
vessels  for  the  Gulf  and  368  for  the  Pacific  ports,  under  the  flags  of 
the  following  nationalities:  German,  92;  American,  120;  English,  183; 
Norwegian,  301;  French,  11;  Spanish,  68;  Cuban,  9;  Mexican,  11; 
Russian,  9;  Chilean.  IS;  Italian,  7;  Danish,  9;  Uruguayan,  1;  Dutch, 
6;  Swedish,  5,  sailing  from  the  following  countries:  United  States, 
England,  Germany,  Belgium,  Brazil,  Colombia,  Cuba,  Spain,  France, 
and  from  other  countries. 

The  outgoing  foreign  direct  trade  was  carried  in  1,123  vessels,  with 
a  total  cargo  of  312,557  metric  tons,  the  Gulf  ports  being  credited  with 


o  go 


mi  xieo. 


I .«  m,  4  vessels,  the  cargo  of  which  amounted  t<>  305,429  metric  tons,  and 
the  Pacific  ports  with  359  vessels,  and  a  total  cargo  of  7,128  metric 
tons.  The  principal  nationalities  of  the  vessels  were  as  follows:  Eng- 
lish, 466;  American,  4<>4:  Norwegian,  309;  German,  89;  French.  14: 
Spanish,  67;  Chilean.  L9,  and  Cuban,  11:  their  destination  being,  the 
United  States,  England,  Colombia,  Spain,  Germany,  Cuba,  France, 
Chile,  and  others  going  to  Belgium,  Costa  Rica,  Guatemala,  Haiti, 
Holland,  Italy,  Russia,  and  Salvador. 

The  indirect  foreign  trad''  was  as  follow-.  955  incoming  vessels  with 
L78,811  metric  tons  of  merchandise,  and  708  outgoing  vessels  with 
89,418  met ric  tons,  of  which  544  were  from  the  United  States  and  44s 
to  that  country  .  from  and  to  <  lolombia,  to  Germany,  England,  France. 
Italy,  Belgium,  and  other  count  ric-. 

Internal  trade  was  represented  by  7.  lot;  incoming  vessels  with  a 
total  cargo  of  208,000  metric  tons,  and  7 . 1  n< >  outgoing  vessels  with 
193,188  metric  tons  cargo.  This  trade  was  carried  on  through  18 
Gulf  and  27  Pacific  ports,  the  incoming  vessels  engaged  comprising 
6,358  Mexican.  323  American,  and  '274  English,  while  the  outgoing 
vessels  comprised  6,337  Mexican.  366  American,  and  315  English. 

The  total  navigation  for  L901-2  was  as  follow-: 


Steamers 

Sail 

Number,    Tonnage 

Number 

roni 

5,70"        1,9 

5,497           17 

- 
-   ■ 

116,968 

11,197       1 .711.  149 

7,634 

362,925 

The  total  tonnage  was: 


Imports. . . . 

Exports 

Coastwise. . 

Total 


Steamers 


- 
333,744 
300,168 


1,714,449 


Sail 
vessels. 


192, 974 
101,020 


Total. 


1,273,511 
101,975 
401,188 


2,076,674 


A  re-nine  of  the  freight  carried  on  the  railways  of  the  northern 
frontier,  in  the  trade  between  Mexico  and  the  United  State-,  shows 

the  following: 


Imports. 

Exports. 

Total. 

Frontier  custom-fa 

Number      T 
olcars        ' ""  • 

Number 
Di  care. 

Tons. 

Number 

of  cars. 

Tons. 

7,729       123,664 
9,182       1 
18,  I 

26,914 

2,506 

-     - 
1,304 

1,934 

10,276 

23, 236 
15,  749 
30,015 

10,235 
17,568 

19,442 
4,192 

163, 940 

161,607 

Nogales 

244,549 

56.  929 

Total 

37.307       517,749 

14,130 

109, 276 

51,437 

027, 025 

TARIFF.  283 

The  custom-house  receipts  growing  out  of  this  trade  show  an  increase 
of  $291,696.78,  as  compared  with  the  corresponding  period  of  the  pre- 
ceding year,  as  follows: 


1900-1901. 


Import  duties |26, 255, 087. 89       $26, 391, 048. 78 

Export  duties 779, 819. 39  863, 855. 71 

All  other  dues I      1, 070, 967. 98  1        1, 142, 667. 55 


T<  ital 28, 105, 875. 26 


28,397,572.04 


TARIFF. 

The  tariff  law  now  in  force  in  Mexico  was  promulgated  on  June  12, 
1891,  and  went  into  effect  on  November  1,  following,  several  amend- 
ments having  since  been  made.  A  synopsis  of  the  General  Regulations 
of  the  Tariff  Law  of  the  Mexican  United  States  (Tarifa  de  la  Ordenanza 
General  de  Aduanas  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos),  in  so  far  as  it 
treats  of  the  obligations  of  shippers,  passengers,  etc.,  is  given  below/' 
The  import  tariff  contains  over  900  different  articles,  .divided  into  gen- 
eral heads,  these  again  being  subdivided  into  classes.  The  latest 
modifications  and  amplifications,  under  date  of  February  1.  1901,  have 
been  published  by  the  International  Union  of  American  Republics,6 
together  with  the  official  explanatory  notes  which  both  facilitate  the 
clear  understanding  of  the  subject  and  fix  more  exactly  the  character 
of  the  merchandise  coming  under  the  several  classifications.  The  fol- 
lowing notes  are  of  interest  and  self-explanatory: 

" Note  153.  —  By  ' tissues  of  smooth  texture''  must  be  understood  tis- 
sues composed  of  single  thread,  in  which  the  woof  threads,  in  crossing 
from  one  side  to  the  other,  pass  above  the  pair  threads  and  below  the 
odd  threads  of  the  warp  one  by  one,  said  threads  crossing  each  other 
in  a  contrary  direction  to  return  to  the  point  of  departure — that  is  to 
say,  passing  above  the  odd  threads  and  below  the  pair  threads. 

"Tissues  obtained  by  any  other  process  of  weaving,  as  well  as  those 
woven  in  the  above  manner,  but  which,  instead  of  being  composed  of 
a  single  thread,  comprise  either  two  or  more  parallel  threads,  entwin- 
ing at  the  same  time  the  woof  or  warp  threads,  or  threads  of  several 
ends,  shall  not  be  considered  as  tissues  of  smooth  texture. 

"Open-work  tissues,  or  drawn  work,  either  of  cotton  or  linen,  shall 
not  be  considered  tissues  of  smooth  texture. 

"To  ascertain  the  number  of  threads  composing  a  tissue  of  smooth 
texture,  a  lens  shall  be  used  known  by  the  name  of  'thread  counter,' 
having  a  space  of  one  centimeter  side.     The  warp  and  woof  threads 

«The  International  Bureau  of  the  American  Republics  will  furnish  any  further 
information  in  this  regard  upon  application. 

&  Monthly  Bulletin  of  the  International  Bureau  of  the  American  Republics,  March, 
1904,  page  709. 


284  Mexico. 

found  in  this  space  are  added  together,  ignoring  fractions  of  threads, 
and  if  the  total  can  be  exactly  divided  by  two,  the  quotient  shall  be 
considered  as  the  number  of  threads  that  the  tissue  contains  in  a  half 
square  centimeter  per  side;  t»ut  if  the  Bum  is  n<>t  exactly  divisible  by 
two,  the  fraction  of  a  thread  resulting  in  the  quotient  shall  be  consid- 
ered a>  an  entire  thread  and  added  as  a  unit  to  those  obtained  in  the 
quotient.  In  this  operation  care  should  be  taken  that  the  edge  of  the 
square  or  -pace  to  be  examined  by  the  thread  counter  corresponds  as 
nearly  as  possible  with  the  space  separating  one  thread  from  another. 

••No  account  shall  he  taken  of  a  difference  of  two  or  three  threads 
when,  in  any  pari  whatever  of  the  tissue,  the  number  of  threads  tallies 
with  the  declaration  of  the  importer. 

•\Y< ■/,  ;.'.'.  This  section  includes  machinery  and  apparatuses  of  all 
kinds  not  specified,  moved  by  motive  power,  windlass,  pedal,  or  lever, 
provided  they  are  intended  for  use  in  agriculture,  mining,  industries. 
or  arts. 

"By  machinery  is  understood  a  collection  of  pieces  or  parts  for  gen- 
erating or  transmitting  power,  or  for  performing  any  other  operation, 
operating  always  by  regular  movements  and  periods. 

■•The  machinery  <>r  apparatuses  which  are  not  intended  for  the 
industries,  agriculture,  mining,  or  the  arts  are  not  included  in  this 
section,  and  are  dutiable  according  to  their  material  and  kind.  In  this 
class  are  included  typewriters  and  adding  machines,  and.  in  general, 
all  apparatuses  and  small  machines  for  domestic  use. 

".Mechanical  tools,  provided  always  they  operate  with  regular  and 
periodic  movements,  are  embraced  in  this  section.  Those  which  are 
not  covered  by  these  conditions  pay  the  quota  provided  for  in  sec- 
tion 793. 

"Loose  parts  and  pieces  of  machine-,  included  in  section  800,  are  all 
those  which  can  not  he  put  to  other  uses,  inasmuch  as  those  which  are 
capable  of  being  employed  for  other  purposes  shall  pay  duty  in  con- 
formity with  the  tariff  according  to  material  and  class  or  kind." 

Shipping  regulations.  The  following  are  the  principal  regulations 
governing  the  shipping  of  merchandise: 

I.  Shippers  of  goods  to  Mexican  ports  must  supply  an  invoice  of 
the  goods  shipped,  even  when  such  goods  are  for  the  public  service 
of  the  Nation,  or  the  State-,  owing  to  a  special  concession,  or  are  free 
from  import  duties.  Separate  invoices,  in  triplicate  or  quadruplicate, 
as  the  law  may  require,  must  be  made  out  for  each  consignee. 

II.  Shippers  of  goods  may  include  in  one  package  several  bale-. 
boxes,  mat-,  rolls,  or  any  other  container  inclosing  goods  of  a  like 
nature,  provided  the  consular  invoice  expresses  the  number  of  pack- 
ages contained  in  each  outer  covering,  bale,  or  box.  Should  this  not 
be  done,  or  the  failure  not  corrected  within  ninety-six  hours  after  the 
entry  of  the  vessel  at  the  receiving  custom-house, a  tine  not  exceeding 
$50  will  tie  imposed. 


SHIPPING    REGULATIONS.  285 

From  this  rule  are  excepted: 

First.  Heavy  goods,  which  are  usually  tied  together,  such  as  iron  and 
steel  bars,  pipes,  metal  sheets,  boards  for  packing  boxes  and  roofs, 
buckets  and  pails  of  wood  or  metal,  parts  of  machinery,  all  similar 
goods,  and  free  articles. 

Second.  Cans  or  immediate  wrappings  or  containers  of  goods  packed 
in  each  package. 

Third.  Piece  goods  in  bales  or  cases;  bottles,  jars,  or  flasks  containing 
elementary  substances,  drugs,  perfumery,  etc.;  and,  in  general,  small 
parcels,  bags,  boxes,  or  an}^  other  kind  of  packages  put  up  in  a  strong 
outer  container. 

III.  Consular  invoices  must  declare  separately  the  gross,  net,  and 
legal a  weights,  as  the  law  may  require,  of  packages  which,  while  of  the 
same  article,  come  in  different  parcels. 

Packages  containing  cotton,  linen,  wool  or  silk  textures,  or  goods 
may  be  declared  collectively  with  their  joint  weights  or  measures  in 
cas y.  the  goods  are  of  a  like  tariff  class,  and  their  difference  in  weight 
does  not  exceed  10  kilograms. 

Any  infraction  of  this  provision  is  punishable  b}r  a  tine  of  $50, 
though  the  consignee  is  allowed  until  the  inspector  is  named  to  dis- 
patch the  goods  in  which  to  correct  errors. 

IV.  Interlineations,  scratching^,  erasures,  or  corrections  causing  a 
want  of  uniformity  in  the  several  copies  of  a  consular  invoice  are  pro- 
hibited. Should  the  want  of  uniformity  affect  elements  essential  to 
the  determination  of  the  duties,  the  latter  will  be  regulated  by  the 
declaration  "  carrying  the  highest  rate  among  the  disagreeing  invoices.''' 

Such  faults  are  tolerated  in  the  cases  following: 
First.  When  they  have  been  rectified  by  written  explanations  on 
the  margin  of  the  documents  before  taking  out  the  consular  certificate. 

«  By  net  weight  is  understood  the  real  weight  of  the  merchandise,  without  the 
immediate  coverings  (almas),  packages,  or  wrappings. 

By  legal  weight  is  understood  the  weight  of  the  goods,  including  only  the  imme- 
diate coverings,  wrappings,  vessel,  cardboard,  wood,  or  tin  in  which  they  may  come 
inside  of  the  outer  box,  which  serves  as  the  general  receptacle.  When  goods  taxed 
on  the  legal  weight  have  no  immediate  covering,  but  come  loose  in  an  outside  box, 
the  intrinsic  weight  of  the  goods  shall  be  considered  the  legal  weight.  In  ascertain- 
ing the  legal  weight  no  account  must  be  taken  of  the  straw  or  shavings  with  which 
the  packages  may  be  packed  in  the  outside  case,  nor  of  the  weight  of  the  latter. 

By  gross  weight  is  understood  the  weight  of  the  merchandise  with  all  its  cases  and 
wrappings  inside  and  outside,  without  allowance  for  fillings,  nettings,  or  hoops. 
When  a  package  contains  several  articles  taxed  on  the  gross  weight,  the  custom- 
house will  apportion  the  tax  among  them  according  to  their  respective  legal  weights. 
Articles  taxed  on  the  gross  weight  shall  pay  on  the  total  weight  of  the  merchandise 
when  they  come  without  wrappings  or  packings,  or  contained  in  cases  which  are 
accessible. 

When  fabrics  having  fringes  are  dutiable  on  the  square  meter,  the  measurement 
shall  include  such  fringes.  If  they  an-  dutiable  according  to  weight,  the  weight  must 
include  thai  of  the  fringes. 


286  Mexico. 

Second.  When,  notwithstanding  the  corrections,  the  several  copies 
of  the  same  document  agree. 

Third.  When  the  interlineations,  erasures,  etc.,  relate  to  points 
h:i\  ing  no  bearing  upon  the  question  of  duties. 

V.  When  the  same  package  contains  goods  paying  different  duties, 
including  some  paying  on  the  gross  weight,  shippers  must  declare  in 
the  invoice,  aside  from  the  total  weight  <»t'  the  package,  the  legal 
weight  of  each  article  contained  therein,  in  order  to  arrive  at  the 
proper  distribution  of  the  gross  weight.  The  declaring  of  the  legal 
weight  must  be  done  without  prejudice  to  the  legal  weight,  piece,  pair. 
thousand,  or  measures  of  the  other  goods  not  taxed  on  the  gross 
weight. 

VI.  Invoices  of  packages  containing  only  samples  do  not  need  con 
sular  certification.     The  invoices  need  only  declare  the  vessel  on  which 
they  are  shipped,  name  of  consignee,  port  of  destination,  mark,  num- 
ber, quantity,  and  class  of  packages,  gross  weight  of  each,  and  generic 
designation  of  the  kind  of  samples. 

Failure  to  comply  with  the  foregoing  will  incur  a  tine  not  exceeding 
s;>  for  each  package. 

VII.  Shippers  of  goods  must  present  for  certification,  before  the 
sailing  of  the  vessel,  four  copies  of  each  invoice  to  the  Mexican  con- 
sul, consular  or  commercial  agent  residing  in  the  place  of  shipment  or 
in  the  port  where  the  vessel  is  loading.  Three  copies  must  he  left  in 
the  consulate,  and  the  copy  with  certificate  and  receipt  attached,  which 
the  Mexican  official  will  deliver,  is  to  be  retained.  This  copy  with 
the  consular  receipt  attached  shippers  must  transmit  to  the  consignees 
of  the  goods. 

VIII.  In  localities  where  there  is  no  Mexican  consul  or  consular 
agent,  shippers  will  only  make  out  invoices  in  triplicate,  conforming 
otherwise  with  the  foregoing  provisions,  transmitting  on  the  same 
day.  by  registered  mail,  one  copy  to  the  Department  of  the  Treasury 
and  another  to  the  collector  of  customs  at  the  port  of  destination. 

Shippers  must  require  from  the  postmaster  the  necessary  receipts, 
which  must  be  forwarded  to  the  consignee  at  the  port  of  destination. 
There  is  no  deviation  from  this  requirement,  and  in  default  of  an 
invoice  with  consular  certificate  or  registered  mail  receipt,  which  must 
be  presented  by  the  consignee  at  the  custom-house,  is  punishable  by  a 
tine  in  double  the  amount  of  duties  on  the  goods  imported. 

IX.  Invoices  should  be  written  in  Spanish;  but  they  will  he  admitted 
if  written  in  any  other  well-known  tongue  when  shippers  are  unac- 
quainted with  the  official  language  of  the  Republic. 

X.  Consignees  of  imported  merchandise  are  responsible  before  the 
law  for  any  infractions  of  the  regulations  by  the  carriers  or  shippers 
thereof. 

XI.  Packages   should    have   only   one   mark    and    number.      Should 


SHIPPING    REGULATIONS.  287 

packages  have  marks  or  numbers  other  than  tho.se  shown  by  the  con- 
sular invoice  and  manifest  the  consignee  will  he  lined  $1  for  each 
package  so  marked  or  numbered.  Firm  names  or  factory  addresses 
uniformly  stamped  on  packages  will  not  be  considered  as  violative  of 
this  regulation,  provided  such  initials,  figures,  and  numbers  are  those 
by  which  each  package  may  be  distinguished  from  the  rest. 

XII.  Live  stock "  shipments  to  Mexico  must  be  governed  by  the 
provisions  following: 

First.  The  shipper  must  appear  before  the  Mexican  consul  stationed 
at  the  point  from  which  the  shipment  is  to  be  made  expressing  his 
intention  to  make  the  same. 

Second.  The  consul  must  secure  a  veterinary  expert  who,  at  the 
expense  of  the  shipper,  must  examine  the  live  stock  in  question  and 
issue  the  proper  health  certificate. 

Third.  This  certificate  will  be  viseed  by  the  said  consul  and  should 
accompany  the  consular  invoice  to  be  presented  at  the  custom-house  of 
entry. 

Fourth.  On  the  live  stock  being  entered  at  the  custom-house  the 
collector  will  designate  an  expert  veterinary  to  examine  the  stock  at 
the  expense  of  the  shipper  and  issue  his  certificate. 

Sixth.  If  the  stock  is  in  a  healthy  condition  it  will  be  dispatched  and 
delivered.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  diseased  and  the  form  of  ail- 
ment is  sufficient!}'  proved  the  collector  will  decline  to  dispatch  the 
stock  and  will  notify  the  proper  authority  in  order  that  the  stock  may 
be  immediately  sent  out  of  the  country,  in  which  case  no  duties  will 
be  levied. 

XIII.  Fresh-meat  shipments  to  Mexico  will  be  regulated  by  the 
same  provisions  as  apply  to  live-stock  importations  save  that  the  vet- 
erinary  expert  must  examine  the  beeves  before  and  after  killing,  and 
the  meat  must  be  shipped  in  refrigerators  or  so  preserved  physically 
or  chemically  that  there  will  be  no  change  in  its  condition.  The  meats 
on  their  introduction  are  subject  to  inspection  by  the  Board  of  Health, 
at  the  expense  of  the  importer. 

Small  shipments  of  fresh  meat  intended  for  the  frontier  settlements 
need  not  be  shipped  in  refrigerators  or  otherwise  preserved,  should 
the  collectors  of  customs  deem  it  unnecessary. 

XIV.  For  the  certification  of  the  documents  which  masters  of  vessels 
and  shippers  of  goods  must  present,  consuls  will  charge  as  follows: 

1.  For  certifying  .ship's  manifest  conveying  goods  to  the  Repuhlic $10.  00 

2.  For  certifying  manifest  of  ship  in  ballast 4.  00 

3.  For  certifying  each  set  of  invoices: 

If  the  value  of  the  goods  declared  in  the  invoice  does  not  exceed  SUM). . .       1. 00 

If  the  value  exceeds  $100,  but  not  $1 ,000 4. 00 

For  every  excess  of  $500  or  fraction  thereof 1. 00 

« Horses,  sheep,  goats,  mules,  and  asses  pay  duty  per  head;  cattle  and  hogs  by 
weight. 


288  Mexico. 

4.  Fur  certificates  of  any  kind  to  masters  or  shippers $2.  no 

r>.  When  said  last-named  certificates  are  requested  in  duplicate,  triplicate,  etc., 

tor  each  extra  copy 1 .  tin 

6.  For  certifying  ti>  errors  in  invoices,  each  set 2.  no 

7.  For  certifying  t<>  each  set  of  permits  to  import  through  frontier  custom- 
houses    28 

Consuls  or  consular  agents  before  issuing  the  certificate  will  require 
the  affirmation  or  oath,  according  t<>  the  law  of  the  country  where 
made,  of  the  manufacturer  or  seller  to  the  effect  that  the  value  given 
the  goods  in  the  invoice  is  the  true  value.  This  oath  must  be  sub- 
scribed on  the  margin  of  a  copy  of  the  invoice  of  sale. 

XV.  Samples  intended  to  make  known  the  goods  they  represent 
are  entitled  to  certain  privileges,  as  follows: 

Pieces  of  cloth  fabrics  not  exceeding  20  centimeters  (71  inches)  in 
length,  and  which  may  include  the  whole  width  of  the  cloth,  and  all 
articled  which  by  reason  of  not  being  complete  are  useless  I'm-  sale  are 
admitted  free. 

Samples  of  complete  articles,  such  as  manufactures  of  any  kind. 
hardware,  dry  goods,  handkerchiefs,  shawls,  hoisery,  shirts,  etc.,  must 
either  pay  the  corresponding  duties  or  be  rendered  unsalable  by  cut- 
tings or  perforations. 

When  dry  goods  or  hardware  sample  cases  contain  complete  articles 
paying  different  duties,  and  the  weight  of  each  class  can  not  be  deter 
mined,  the  whole  case  will  pay  the  rate  attachable  to  the  highest  duty 
paying  article  contained  therein. 

Samples  of  complete  articles  an  importer  may  be  interested  in  pre- 
serving for  reexporting  may  be  admitted  duty  free,  provided  the 
collector  is  satisfied  he  can  identify  the  articles  when  exported;  hut 
the  collector  will  require  a  bond  in  double  the  amount  of  the  duties. 
giving  the  party  in  interest  up  to  six  months  time  within  which  to 
reexport  the  articles  through  the  same  custom-house. 

If  the  interested  party  shall  present  himself  within  the  time  men- 
tioned to  pay  the  duties  corresponding  to  the  articles,  they  will  be 
received;  but  if  these  are  not  reexported  within  said  term  the  bond 
will  be  forfeited. 

The  owner  of  samples  desiring  to  export  them  through  a  custom- 
house other  than  that  of  entry  must  secure  the  permission  of  the 
Department  of  the  Treasury. 

XVI.  Passengers  landing  at  Mexican  ports  must  show  their  baggage 
to  the  custom-house  officer  having  its  inspection  in  charge,  and  should 
they  bring  small  quantities  of  articles  for  gifts  or  personal  use  which 
are  dutiable  they  must  make  the  fact  known  to  the  officer  before  tin 
baggage  is  opened. 

XVII.  Passengers  bringing  with  them,  either  in  their  baggage  or 
separately,  merchandise  the  duties  on  which  exceed  $100  are  bound  to 
declare  them  in  a  consular  invoice,  conforming  to  the  regulations  for 


SHIPPING    REGULATIONS.  289 

imports  of  merchandise.  All  articles  which  because  of  their  class  or 
quantity  are  not  deemed  to  be  of  personal  use  are  considered  as 
merchandise. 

XVIII.  The  following  are  considered  as  passengers'  baggage  and 
are  duty  free: 

First.  Personal  apparel,  if  not  excessive,  the  collectors  being  judges 
of  the  amount  in  view  of  the  passengers'  circumstances. 

Second.  Articles  worn  or  of  personal  use,  such  as  jewelry,  watch, 
chain,  cane,  etc.,  and  one  or  two  firearms,  with  their  accessories  and 
up  to  100  cartridges. 

Third.  Instruments  and  tools  the  most  necessary  and  indispensable 
for  the  exercise  of  a  profession  or  trade,  if  the  passengers  are  profes- 
sors, artists,  or  artisans,  in  the  understanding  that  pianos,  organs,  or 
.barrel  organs,  and  materials  and  accessories  for  the  installation  of 
laboratories,  studios,  or  offices  are  excluded. 

Fourth.  Ninety-nine  cigars,  40  packages  of  cigarettes,  and  half  a 
kilogram  of  snuff  or  chewing  tobacco,  if  the  passengers  are  adults. 

XIX.  Should  the  passengers  be  artists  of  an  opera,  dramatic,  circus, 
or  other  company,  besides  the  foregoing  articles  they  may  introduce 
free  the  costumes  and  scenery  which  form  part  of  their  baggage,  being 
bound  to  reexport  the  same  within  one  year. 

XX.  Passengers  bringing  with  them  any  household  furniture  will 
be  allowed  a  rebate  of  dut}^  corresponding  to  the  depreciation  of  value 
in  consequence  of  its  use. 

XXI.  Should  passengers  declare  that  their  baggage  includes  nothing 
but  articles  of  personal  use,  and  the  inspection  show  that  they  bring 
dutiable  merchandise,  such  merchandise  shall  pay  double  duties. 

XXII.  Most  of  the  maritime  custom-houses  have  warehouses 
attached,  where  goods  may  be  left  on  deposit,  which  is  limited  to  one 
month  if  the  goods  are  perishable,  or  not  longer  than  six  months  if 
otherwise.  If  not  withdrawn  within  fifteen  da}-s  after  the  expiration 
of  the  six  months,  the  goods  are  sold  at  public  auction. 

Shippers  should  bear  in  mind  that  the  weights  and  measurements  of 
articles  should  be  given  in  the  metric  system;  that  articles  should  be 
packed  in  cases  or  containers,  according  to  the  class  of  weight  upon 
which  duties  are  assessed — that  is,  goods  upon  which  duties  are  charged 
on  the  gross  wreight  should  not  be  packed  with  goods  paving  by  net  or 
legal  weight,  or  vice  versa. 

By  treaty  provisions  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  vessels 
of  the  former  country  are  on  the  same  footing  in  Mexican  ports  as 
Mexican  vessels  as  regards  tonnage,  harbor,  and  light  dues,  pilotage/' 
salvage,  and  all  local  charges.  The  coasting  trade  is.  however,  reserved 
by  either  nation  for  its  own  vessels.     United  States  vessels  may  import 

a  Pilotage  is  not  obligatory  under  the  laws  of  Mexico. 
509  a— 04 19 


290  MEXICO. 

into  Mexican  ]><>rt>  merchandise  the  growth  <>r  manufacture  of  the 
United  State-  on  the  same  terms  as  if  they  were  imported  in  Mexican 
bottoms.  The  duties  are  to  be  no  higher  or  other  than  those  levied 
on  similar  merchandise  the  growth  or  manufacture  of  the  most  favored 

nation.      In  United   States  porta  Mexican  vessels  and   merchandise  are 

accorded  the  same  privileges  enjoyed  by  American  vessels  and  mer- 
chandise in  Mexican  ports. 

Where  there  are  oo  Mexican  vessels  to  carry  <>n  the  coastwise  trade 
foreign  sailing  and  steam  vessels  are  permitted  to  engage  in  such 
trade.  When  the  quantity  of  merchandise  prepared  for  shipment  from 
one  port  to  another  of  the  Republic  is  so  small  that  it  would  not  suffice 
to  till  a  Mexican  vessel  its  shipment  upon  a  foreign  vessel  is  allowed. 

On   May  I,  L896,  the   .Mexican   Constitution  was  amended  so  as  to 
abolish  the  alcabdla  or  interstate  customs  duties,  which  it  inherited. 
from   Spain,  and  which  had  for  so  many  years  acted  as  a  stumbling 
block  to  the  internal  trade  of  the  country. 

N(  "•  iui]>nrt  duties. — The  new  import  duties  collected  in  the  Repub- 
lic are  regulated  by  the  following  provisions  contained  in  a  decree 
bearing  date  of  November  25,  L902: 

On  and  after  the  1st  day  of  January,  L903,  the  laws  of  November 
30,  1888,  and  May  12,  1896,  creating  respectively  the  '1  per  cent  port- 
works  tax  and  the  7  per  cent  stamp  tax  on  import  duties  shall  be 
abolished.  On  and  after  the  same  date,  import  duties  on  foreign 
merchandise  brought  into  the  Republic  shall  continue  to  be  adjusted 
in  accordance  with  the  rale-  sel  forth  in  the  import  schedule,  but  the 
sum  payable  according  to  that  adjustment  will  be  reduced  by  .*><>  per 
cent,  and  the  amount  thus  found  multiplied  by  the  sum  fixed  by  the 
department  of  Finance  for  the  settlement  of  duties  during  the  month  in 
question,  which  in  no  case  will  be  less  than  220  per  cent.  The  product 
represents  the  amount  of  import  duties  to  be  paid  by  the  importer. 

In  order  to  determine  every  month  the  rate  of  settlement  referred 
to,  the  Department  of  Finance  will  take  the  average  of  the  rates  at 
which  the  banks  of  Mexico  City  have  sold  sight  drafts  on  New  York 
on  each  of  the  days  comprised  between  the  1st  and  25th  of  the  month 
in  which  the  announcement  of  the  rate  is  to  be  made,  making  a  reduc- 
tion of  30  percent,  or  less  if  the  liabilities  of  the  nation  payable  in 
foreign  coin  increase  in  future,  on  the  difference  between  the  fixed 
exchange  rate  of  'i'l"  per  cent  and  the  average  in  question.  Said 
department,  any  day  between  the  25th  and  28th  of  the  respective 
month,  shall  inform  the  custom-houses,  through  the  General  Custoni- 
House  Bureau,  of  the  rate  adopted  at  which  duties  are  to  be  settled 
during  the  following  month,  said  rate  being  published  in  the  '  Diario 
Oficial.' 

The  rate  of  settlement  for  import  duties  adopted  for  each  month 
shall  be  applied  to  merchandise  carried  in  ships  anchoring  in  their  ports 


TRAVELING    AGENTS.  291 

of  destination,  or  brought  in  over  the  frontiers  after  12  o'clock  on  the 
night  of  the  last  clay  of  the  previous  month  and  before  the  same  hour 
of  the  last  da}r  of  the  current  month,  even  though  in  either  case  the 
adjustment  of  clearance  formalities  be  effected  at  a  date  subsequent 
to  the  last  day  of  the  month  during  which  the  rate  of  settlement  was 
in  force.  Goods  imported  through  the  mails  will  be  subject  to  the 
rate  for  the  settlement  of  duties  in  force  on  the  day  of  their  arrival 
in  the  country. 

The  stamp  tax  payable  by  alcoholic  beverages  and  foreign  cards 
at  the  time  of  their  importation,  as  well  as  the' additional  duty  for  the 
benefit  of  the  municipalities  of  the  towns  where  the  custom-houses  are 
situated,  is  estimated  on  the  basis  of  the  import  duties  calculated 
according  to  the  foregoing  rules.  The  fines  provided  b}T  the  General 
Custom-House  Regulations  to  punish  infringements  of  the  ordinances 
are  computed  in  the  same  manner  when  such  penalties  are  based  on  a 
percentage  of  the  import  duties. 

Merchandise  imported  for  consumption  in  the  Free  Zone,  with  the 
exception  provided  by  article  676  of  the  General  Custom-House  Regu- 
lations, shall  pay  only  10  per  cent  of  the  duties  estimated  as  before 
stated,  but  the  tax  for  the  benefit  of  the  municipalities,  as  well  as  the 
stamp  tax  pa}Table  by  alcoholic  beverages  and  foreign  cards  imported 
for  use  in  said  zone,  is  estimated  and  paid  on  the  basis  of  the  full 
duties. 

Merchandise  imported  for  the  Free  Zone  and  similar  merchandise 
produced  in  that  region  and  forwarded  farther  inland,  according  to  the 
provisions  of  Section  IV,  Chapter  XXII,  of  the  General  Custom- 
House  Regulations,  pay  duties  at  the  rate  of  liquidation  in  force  at 
the  date  when  permission  for  forwarding  the  goods  is  solicited,  and 
from  the  total  of  said  duties  the  10  per  cent  above  mentioned  will  be 
deducted,  even  though  the  merchandise  may  have  been  imported  at 
any  prior  date.  Duties  on  foreign  goods  shipped  from  point  to  point 
in  the  zone  are  estimated  in  the  same  manner,  either  to  collect  them 
according  to  law,  or  to  impose  the  penalties  provided  for  infringements 
of  the  law,  as  the  case  may  be. 

Another  important  decree  went  into  effect  on  November  1,  1902, 
amending  articles  468  and  -169  of  the  General  Customs  Tariff,  provid- 
ing that  the  importation  of  small  quantities  of  foreign  merchandise 
intended  for  consumption  in  the  frontier  towns,  and  coming  from 
places  bordering  on  the  Republic  may  be  made  through  the  passes  or 
fords  indicated  by  the  custom-houses  for  international  traffic,  without 
the  necessit}^  of  presenting  a  consular  invoice  or  any  other  document, 
provided  that  the  value  of  said  merchandise  shall  not  exceed  $10. 

Commercial  travelers. — According  to  a  special  consular  report  issued 
by  the  Department  of  Commerce  and  Labor  of  the  United  States,  trav- 
eling agents  in  Mexico  who  confine  their  activity  to  the  City  of  Mexico, 


292  mexioo. 

or  the  surrounding  Federal  District,  are  free  of  all  taxes.     In  the 

interior  the  tax  imposed  varies  in  accordance  with  the  Dumber  of  com- 
modities handled  by  the  agent.  After  the  payment  of  this  tax  the 
agent  i-  free  to  conduct  business  with  merchants,  as  well  a-  with  pri- 
vate individuals.  Samples  possessing  a  value  are  subject  to  the  reg- 
ular duty.  l>ut  when  a  declaration  is  made  by  the  agent,  in  importing 
thorn,  to  the  effect  that  it  is  his  intention  to  reexport  them  within  a 
certain  time,  the  duty  is  refunded  if  such  reexportation  is  made  within 
the  declared  time. 

FREE   ZONE. 

The  Mexican  Free  Zone,  according  to  an  official  description  fur- 
nished by  the  Mexican  authorities,"  is  as  follow.-: 

••There  is  understood  by  the  term  'Free  Zone"  a  -trip  of  national 
territory  which,  covering  all  the  northern  frontier  of  the  Republic  in 
the  States  of  Tamaulipas.  Coahuila,  Chihuahua.  Sonora,  and  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Lower  California,  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  extends  in  a  latitudinal  direction  20  kilometers  (12.42  miles) 
from  the  frontier  border  toward  the  interior. 

"It  was  established  in  the  beginning  from  Matamoros  to  Monterey, 
Laredo  (to-day  Laredo  of  Tamaulipas)  by  Col.  Ramon  Guerra,  gov- 
ernor of  the  State  of  Tamaulipas,  by  means  of  a  decree  dated  the  17th 
of  March,  1858,  which  was  sanctioned  by  President  Juarez  the  30th 
of  July.  L861. 

"The  tariff  of  the  Lst  of  January,  L872,  left  it  in  existence,  and  the 
tariff  of  1S85  caused  its  extension  to  all  the  frontier.  The  general 
ordinance  of  custom-houses  of  lss7.  as  well  as  that  of  1891,  which  is 
now  in  force,  preserved  it.  although  with  modifications  of  importance, 
especially  as  regards  collection  of  duties. 

"The  franchise  granted  the  Free  Zone  consisted,  in  the  beginning, 
in  not  levying  any  duty  upon  imported  articles;  afterwards,  however, 
some  small  duties,  purely  local,  were  established,  and  the  ordinance  of 
IssT  established  a-  a  fixed  l>a>is  :•',  per  cent  on  the  value  of  the  duties 
according  to  tariff — a  basis  which  was  raised  to  10  per  cent  by  the 
ordinance  of  1891.  By  subsequent  decree's  the  duties  were  raised  1£ 
per  cent  for  the  municipality  and  7  per  cent  for  stamps  for  internal 
revenue,  the  result  of  all  this  being  that  the  merchandise  introduced 
into  the  FT-ee  Zone  from  abroad  now  paid  18£  per  cent  upon  the 
importation  duties  according  to  tariff. 

"For  the  better  comprehension  of  this  explanation,  there  is  here 
given  an  example  of  the  duties  paid  by  a  certain  article,  according  to 
its  destination,  either  to  the  interior  of  the  country  or  to  the  Free  Zone. 

"Let  us  suppose  a  bale  of  cotton  weighs  100  kilograms  (220.46 

« Monthly  Summary  of  Commerce  and  Finance  of  the  United  States,  No.  12,  series 
1898-99,  Bureau  of  Statistics,  Treasury  Department,  1899,  p.  3182. 


FKEE    ZONE. 


293 


pounds).     If  destined  for  the  interior  of  the  country,  it  will  pay  duties 
as  follows: 


Description. 


Duties. 


Mexican 
currency. 


United 

States 

currency. 


100  kilograms  (220.46  pounds),  at  7  cents  (3  cents) 

2  per  cent  for  harbor  works 

1£  per  cent  (municipal) 

7  per  cent  (revenue  stamps) 

Total 


$7.00 
.14 
.10 
.49 


a  S3. 10 


.04 
.22 


7.73 


3.42 


a  The  reductions  in  this  report  are  made  on  the  basis  of  the  valuation  of  the  Mexican  dollar  given 
April  1,  1898,  by  the  Director  of  the  United  States  Mint— i.  e.,  SI  Mexican=44.4  cents. 

"If  that  bale  is  destined  to  the  Free  Zone,  it  must  pay- 


Description. 


Mexican 
currency. 


Duties. 


United 

States 

currency. 


10  per  cent  on  $7 

1£  per  cent  on  87  (municipal) 
7  per  cent  on  |7  (stamps) 

Total 


SO.  70 
.10 
.49 


SO.  30 
.05 
.32 


"If  this  same  bale,  after  having  been  imported  to  the  Free  Zone,  is 
shipped  to  the  interior  of  the  country,  it  must  pay,  in  addition  to  the 
above — 


Description. 


Mexican 
currency. 


Duties. 


United 

States 

currency. 


90  per  cent  on  $7  (13.10) 

2  per  cent  for  harbor  works 

Total 


S6,30 
.14 


2.79 
.06 


2.85 


which  is  equal  to  the  amount  charged  for  importation  of  the  bale 
directly  to  the  interior  ($7.73 =$3.42). 

"It  must  be  noticed  that  not  all  the  merchandise  that  enters  through 
the  custom-houses  of  the  north  is  destined  for  the  Free  Zone,  and 
that  much  that  is  primarily  imported  for  consumption  there  is  after- 
wards shipped  to  the  interior. 

"The  greater  part  of  the  merchandise  that  enters  through  Laredo, 
Tamaulipas,  Poriirio  Diaz  (Eagle  Pass),  city  of  Juarez  (El  Paso,  Tex.), 
and  Nogales,  Sonora,  pays  at  once  the  entire  duties  and  is  forwarded 
immediately  to  the  interior. 

"The  custom-house  of  Matamoros  has  little  importation,  and  those 
of  Guerrero,  Camargo,  Mier,  Boquillas,  Lasabe,  Tiguana,  and  La 
Morita  have  practically  none. 


294  Mixico. 

"The  greater  part  of  the  goods  imported  by  these  last  is  consumed 
by  the  inhabitants  of  the  towns  named  and  their  jurisdictions,  and  all 
arc  United  States  goods,  such  as  hams,  potatoes,  lard,  butter,  beer, 
matches,  coarse  cloth  material,  etc. 

"The  principal  cities  found  in  the  Free  Zone  are  Matamoros, 
Oamargo,  Mier,  Guerrero,  Laredo  City,  Porfirio  Diaz  (Piedras 
Negras),  City  of  Juarez  (Paso  del  Norte),  and  Nogales.  The  others 
arc  small  towns  which  have   little  commercial    importance.      The  total 

population  of  the  Free  Zone  could  hardly  be  estimated  to  be  80,< 

or  Km. (hio  people. 

••  In  the  Free  Zone  there  are  no  industries  worth  mentioning,  nor  i> 
it  possible  to  establish  any.  for  the  general  ordinance  of  the  custom- 
house permits  the  introduction  to  the  interior  of  the  country  of  indus- 
trial products  manufactured  in  the  Free  Zone  only  on  payment  of  the 
regular  duties,  which  are  equal  to  those  levied  on  foreign  goods  of 
the  same  kind.  Exportation  to  the  United  State-  of  America  would 
he  difficult  on  account  of  its  protective  tariff,  and  the  consumption  in 
the  Free  Zone  would  not  be  sufficient  to  sustain  industrial  establish- 
ments of  any  importance,  especially  as  not  a  single  railroad  exists, 
and  transportation  of  merchandise  is  carried  on  in  certain  parts  over 
difficult  roads  by  means  of  the  rudimentary  system  of  ox  carts." 


CHAPTER   XII. 

FINANCIAL    ORGANIZATION— PUBLIC   DEBT— BUDGET. 

The  financial  question  in  Mexico  has  been  one  of  the  most  perplex- 
ing- problems  that  ever  presented  itself  to  the  statesman's  mind.  From 
the  moment  the  country  emerged  from  its  centuries  of  colonial  rule  it 
was  confronted  with  the  gravest  economic  difficulties.  The  tributary 
system,  based  upon  monopoly  and  exclusive  privileges,  which  had 
prevailed  before  the  separation  from  Spain,  could  not  be  continued 
under  the  conditions  obtaining  among  an  emancipated  and  autonomic 
people.  Without  any  previous  experience,  they  were  compelled  to 
change,  improvise,  and  try  new  systems.  The  many  revolutions  and 
consequent  changes  in  the  administrations  served  but  to  add  to  the 
perplexity  of  the  situation,  and  it  has  required  a  high  order  of  ability 
to  bring  the  finances  of  the  country  to  their  present  condition. 

In  1823  the  Mexican  Government  issued  paper  money,  with  results 
so  deplorable  that  no  administration  has  since  ventured  to  repeat  the 
experiment.  The  many  difficulties  which  have  beset  the  other  Ameri- 
can Republics  through  depreciated  paper  money  have  thus  been  avoided 
by  Mexico. 

REVENUES. 

The  revenues  of  the  Republic  are  divided  into  four  groups  or  classes, 
which  in  1901-2  yielded  as  follows:" 

/.   Foreign-commerce  taxes. 

Import  duties • $26, 391, 048.  78 

Export  duties 864,  021. 12 

2  per  cent  for  port  improvements 523, 085.  84 

Special  port  taxes 519,  521.  86 

Sailing  licenses 928.  00 

Pilots'  and  harbor  masters'  dues 16,  698.  94 

Health  office  receipts 82, 267.  50 

Consular  dues 334,  607.  62 

Consular  and  diplomatic  certificates  abroad 355.  00 

Total 28,  732,  534.  66 

a  Boletfn  de  Estadfstica  Fiscal,  ano  fiscal  de  1901-2,  No.  240. 

295 


296 


MEXICO. 


II.  I  at:  rior  Federal  taxes. 

Stamp  tax $26,936,788.41 

Embracing — 

Regular  stamps $9,956,698.93 

Federal  tax 7,  092,  060. 38 

7  per  ('■nt  mi  imports 2,012,364.40 

Mining  tax 1 ,  275,  714.  02 

:;  per  cent  on  gold  and  silver 2,466,809.10 

Manufactured  tobacco 1,603,088.09 

Spirits 864,  722.  83 

Cut  tun  yarn  and  fabrics 1,578,  788.  65 

Miscellaneous,  fines,  etc 12.01 

Mintage  dues  and  charges 1,435,467.  18 

Patent  and  trade-mark  dues •">•'!,  4so.  on 


Total 28,  405,  735.  59 

///.   In!'  rior,  district  and  U  rritorial  taxes. 

Direct  taxes  on  real  estate,  professions,  license  tax,  flour,  and  pulque. .  $3,233,904. 17 

Successions  and  donations 178,950.  68 

Other  taxes 422.  21 


Total 3,413,276.96 

I]'.  Public  service  and  oQu  r  sources. 

Postal  service $2, 367,  957.  22 

Telegrapl I  service 1 ,  203,  710.  55 

Lottery,  fines,  etc -  -  -       2,023,  833.  74 

Total 5,  595, 501.  51 

These  figures  show  a  grand  total  of  *<*><;.  147. o-hs. 72  for  the  period 

under  consideration. 

A  summary  of  the  revenues  of  tin'  Republic  from  L897-98  to  1901-2 

gives  the  following  figures: 


Group. 

1897 

1898-99. 

1899-1900. 

1900-1901. 

1901-2. 

First   

1,989.17 

702.8] 

;   168.  ii 

2  334.66 

•   ml  16 
.  434. 64 

712.71 

.793.04 
26,201 
3,280,1 
4,883,246.80 

128,  l:U,366.13 

is.  162,781.83 

3,281,976.02 

1  -J'.i.  680. 65 

2,634.66 

Second  

Third 

Fourth 

28,  i" 
3,413,276.96 

"..501.51 

Total 

62,697,984.55 

60,139,212.84 

• 

64,261,076.89 

62, 998, 804. 63 

66, 147, 048. 72 

The  financial  condition  of  the  country  in  L902-3  is  shown  in  the 
following  extracts  from  the  report  of  the  Secretary  of  Finance  for 
Mexico  to  tlie  Federal  Congress,  under  date  December  14,  1903: 

•"The  revenue  account  shows  the  following  receipts  from  normal 
sources: 

In  cash *76, 023,  4 16.  1 1 

In  i ml 'lie  debt  securities 575,  277.  96 

In  nominal  receipts 21,  904.  91 

T. .tal  ii' irmal  revenue 76,  620,  598.  98 


REVENUES. 


297 


"The  expenditure  in  cash  under  ordinary  budget  appropriations 
amounted,  during  the  year  1902-3,  to  $68,222,522.20. 

"A  comparison  between  revenue  and  expenditure  in  cash  on  normal 
accounts  shows  the  following  results: 

Revenue  from  normal  sources $76, 023, 416. 11 

Expenditure  for  normal  purposes 68,  222, 522.  20 

Excess 7,  800, 892.  91 


Extraordinary  receipts  in  cash  « 1,  212.  00 

Nominal  receipts  & 4,686,301.95 

Total 4,  687, 513.  95 

"The  following  figures  refer  only  to  ordinary  revenue  and  expendi- 
ture in  cash,  and  also  show  the  percentages  which  the  annual  surpluses 
bear  to  the  ordinary  expenditures  of  the  several  years: 


Fiscal  year. 

Ordinary 

revenue  in 

cash. 

Ordinary  ex- 
penditure in 
cash. 

Excess  of 
revenue. 

Percent- 
age. 

1895-96  

$50,521,470.42 
51,500,628.75 
52,697,984.55 
60, 139, 212. 84 
64,261,076.39 
62, 998, 804. 63 
66, 147, 048. 72 
76, 023, 416. 11 

$45, 070, 123. 13 
48, 330, 505. 25 
51,815,285.66 
53, 499, 541. 94 
57, 944, 687. 85 
59, 423, 005. 75 
63,081,513.73 
68,222,522.20 

$5,451,347.29 

3, 170, 123. 50 

882, 698. 89 

6. 639. 670. 90 
6, 316, 388. 54 
3,575,798.88 
3,065,534.99 

7. 800. 893. 91 

12. 11 

1896-97  

6.25 

1897-98  

1.70 

1898-99  

12.41 

1899-1900  

10.90 

1900-1901  

6.02 

1901-2  

4.86 

1902-3  

11.43 

"The  increase  in  ordinary  receipts  as  compared  with  the  previous 
year  was  $9,876,367.39,  a  substantial  gain  which  no  other  year  has 
equaled.     The  ordinary  expenditures  increased  only  by  $5,14-1,008.47. 

"The  following  table  shows  the  comparison  of  estimates  with  ordi- 
nary receipts  collected  in  1902-3: 


Estimates  of 
the  Department 

of  Finance 
accepted  by  the 
Budget  Com- 
mittee. 

Collections  ef- 
fected. 

Difference  be- 
tween estimates 
and  collections. 

$29, 228, 200. 00 
27,019,000.00 

3,  443, 000. 00 
5,133,400.00 

$34, 784, 080. 55 
31,508,038.42 

3,616,224.69 
6, 115, 072. 45 

+  $5,555,880.55 

Interior  taxes  paid  throughout  the  Federation  . 
Interior  taxes  paid  in  the  Federal  district  and 

+    4, 489, 038. 42 
+        173, 224. 69 

+        981,672.45 

Total 

64,823,600.00 

76, 023, 416. 11 

+  11,199,816.11 

"Among  the  sources  of  revenue  of  which  the  yield  greatly  surpassed 
the  estimates  are  import  duties,  common  stamps,  stamps  of  the  Federal 
tax,  taxes  on  mining  property,  and  on  the  precious  metals.     The  reve- 

a  Payments  made  by  persons  who,  on  receiving  from  the  treasury  5  per  cent  bonds 
without  being  entitled  to  the  full  coupon,  have  advanced  money  for  the  matured 
interest  in  order  to  receive  said  coupon. 

6  Receipts  taken  from  the  treasury  reserves  and  included  in  the  revenue  account, 
as  provided  by  various  laws  which  appropriated  a  part  of  said  reserves  to  certain 
works  of  public  utility. 


298 


MEXICO. 


line  referred  t<>  is  thai  collected  in  cash  and  from  normal  budget  sources 
during  the  last  five  years,  which  was  as  follows: 


-  99. 

1-99-1900. 

1900-1 901. 

101-2, 

1902-3. 

i  foreign  commerce. 
Interior  taxes  paid  through 

out  the  Federation 

interior  taxes  paid  in  the 

Federal  district  and  i  er 

128,788,  180.  IS 
134.64 

.....  ni 
8,846,742.74 

798.04 
26,201,  W6.14 

I  630.91 
1,833,246.30 

J28,  134 

781.88 

3,281,976.02 
1,829 

28,  105 

::.  U8.276.96 
6,695,601.61 

134,784 

31,50s 

224.69 

Public  services  and  miner 

6,116,072.  (5 

Total 

60,139,212.84 

64, 261, 076.  39     62.  988.  804.  63 

66,147,048.72 

76,028,416.11 

INCREASE  IN   1902  3  A-  COMPARED  WITH  1'.mj1-_>. 

Taxes  on  foreign  commerce 16,061,545.89 

Interior  taxes  paid  throughout  tin-  Federation 3,102 

Interior  taxes  paid  in  the  Federal  district  and  Territories 202,947.73 

Public  services  and  minor  sources 519,570.94 


T(  >tal 9, 876, 367. 39 

" Oustom-housi  revenue.  -The  revenue  from  this  source  is  derived 
from  import  and  export  duties  and  the  various  forms  of  port  and  sani- 
tary dues.  On  the  other  hand,  the  expenses  of  the  service  include 
those  of  the  staff  of  the  general  custom-house  bureau  and  of  the  fiscal 
gendarmerie. 

"The  proportion  of  expenses  to  collections  has  been  as  follows: 


Fiscal  year. 


Collections. 


1894-95 S 1  '■'.  i'.M .  679.  32 

1 895  96 23, 433,1 188.  36 

1896  97 23,  103,893.  16 

ls-MT  '.is 23, 047, 021. 72 

1 28,  469,  N97. 05 

1899    19(H) 29,  686,  297.  OS 

1900-1901 28,104,627.26 

1901-2 28,397,672.04 

34,435,901.55 


Expenses. 


1,828,286.27 

1 .  87! 

1,911.  121.20 

1 ,  958, 732. 91 
1,981,800.84 
2,058,401.80 

2,  130,  Hi;.  17 
2,192,085.08 


Percent- 
age. 


9. 163 

7.  780 
8.017 

8.  423 

C.689 
7.824 

7.7>02 
6.358 


'•'Hi,  st,iini>  tax.  For  the  computation  of  the  cost  of  collection  of 
this  source  of  revenue  all  the  amounts  collected  by  the  stamp  offices, 
including  the  geperal  administration,  are  taken  into  consideration. 

"The  comparative  table  since  1894-95  is  as  follows: 


1  year. 

lions. 

Exp 

Percent- 
age. 

1894-96 

.989.50 
18,066,  180.  16 
19,948,271.29 
21,621,246.  IS 
23,215,698.77 
24,849,618.78 
25,1 19,650.73 
26,961,933.28 
29,750,265.83 

«1,  233,  119.74 
1,317,:;7:>.  18 
1,816,280.79 
I.  103,636.  19 
1.  170,656.75 
1,  179,570.57 
1,469.976.02 
1,551,194.24 
1,645,179.92 

7.93 



: 

7.  29 
6.60 

1 897  98 



6.49 
6.33 
5.95 

19(19-1901 

5.  8  I 

").  75 



1902-3 

5.52 

"The  percentage  of  the  cost  of  collection  of  this  form  of  revenue 
has  steadily  decreased,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  yield  of  the  tax  has 


EXPENDITURES. 


299 


constantly  increased.     The  increase  in  expenditure  was  more  than  com- 
pensated by  the  increase  in  collections. 

llJReV(  n  a r  from  direct  taxation. — The  cost  of  collection  of  this  branch 
of  revenue  is  estimated  on  the  basis  of  the  total  collections  of  the 
direct  taxation  office  not  only  for  the  Federation  but  for  each  of  the 
municipalities  of  the  Federal  District. 


Fiscal  year. 

Collections. 

Expenses. 

Percent- 
age. 

1896-97 

$3,378,545.98 

3,534,324.96 
3,743,314.53 
3,991,118.37 
4, 165, 963. 53 
4, 396, 829. 91 
4,595,591.95 

1168,664.38 
172, 770. 68 
173, 887. 03 
175,  388.  76 
178, 507. 08 
188,035.45 
192,441.11 

1897-98 

1898-99 

1899-1900 

4  395 

1900-1901 '. 

1901-2 

1902-3 

4  187 

EXPENDITURES. 

The  expenditures  for  1901-2  were  as  follows: 

Legislative  power $1, 191, 149.  42 

Executive  power 159, 165.  99 

Judicial  power 503,  549.  81 

Department  of  Foreign  Relations 1, 019, 080.  34 

Department  of  Government 4,  909,  918.  72 

Department  of  Justice  and  Public  Instruction 3, 134, 159. 13 

Department  of  Promotion,  Colonization,  and  Industry 968,  788.  64 

Department  of  Communications  and  Public  Works 9,  366, 331.  45 

Department  of  Treasury  and  Public  Credit 27,  603,  622.  05 

Department  of  War  and  Navy 14,  325,  748. 18 


Total 63,081,513.73 

This  was  the  amount  actually  disbursed  during-  the  fiscal  year  in 
question,  as  there  remained  at  the  Treasury  an  unpaid  balance  of 
$229,711.17  for  claims  uncollected  at  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year.  The 
balance  remaining-  to  the  credit  of  the  Government  at  the  end  of 
1901-2  was,  therefore,  as  follows: 

Revenues,  as  stated $66, 147, 048.  72 

Net  expenditures 62,  851,  772.  26 


Balance 3,  295,  276.  46 

Taking  as  a  basis  the  year  1891-95,  which  was  the  first  to  show  a 
surplus  after  the  financial  crisis  of  1891,  the  following  figures  show, 
in  round  numbers,  the  state  of  the  Treasury  up  to  and  including  the 
vcar  1901-2: 


Year. 

Receipts. 

Expendi- 
tures. 

Surplus. 

1894  95.   .          

843,946,000 

50,521,000 
50,501,000 
52,698,000 
60, 139, 000 
64,261,000 
63, 000, 000 
66,000,000 

141,372,000 
1  >,  1)70,000 
48, 330,  000 
51,815,000 
63,  499, 000 
58, 310, 000 
59, 400, 000 
63, 000, 000 

82, 573, 000 

1895-96                              

5,454,000 

1896-97. . .                                   

3,170,(100 

1897-98..                                  

883,000 

1898-99.   .                                       

6, 640, 000 

1899-1900  .                                       

5,951,000 

1900-1901 ...                                          

4, 400, 000 

1901-2 

3, 000, 000 

300 


MEXICO. 


For  the  year  L902-3  the  expenditures  were,  according  to  the  report 
above  mentioned,  as  follows: 

" The  following  tables  for  L898  L903  show  the  increase  in  the  total 
expenditure  of  each  year  as  compared  with  the  year  immediately  pre- 
ceding, and  the  percentage  of  the  disbursements  effected  on  account 
of  each  division  of  the  budget,  as  compared  with  the  total  disburse- 
ments for  the  year: 


Percent- 


1899-1900. 


Percent- 
age. 


1900-1901. 


Percent 
age. 


itnre 

Executive 

Judiciary 

Department  of  Foreign 
Relations 

Department  of  tin-  Inte- 
rior   

Department    of 
;imi  Public  Instruction  . 

Department  of  Promotion, 
Colonization,  and  In- 
dustry   

Department  of  Commu- 
nications ami  Public 
Works 

lii  partment    of   Finance 
ami  Public  Credit: 
Administrative  serv- 



Public  debt 

Department  of  War  ami 
Navy 


1972,435.73 

74,249.  12 

433, 985. 51 

r.ts,245.38 

187.83 

2, 450, 065. 58 

736,512.68 


1.818 
.138 

.933 
6. 763 
1.579 

1.376 


6,079,206.44         11.363 


784.39 
20,058, 


11.949 

37.  ii':; 


12,185,031.43         JJ.  77C 


74,137.65 

•143,771.01 

857. 17 
3,916,299.23 
2,880,066.76 

1, 156,276.94 

6,737,069.92 


6,586,140.32 
21,612,126.05 


13,  Ml. 964. 38 


1.668 
.127 
.760 

.911 

6.716 

4.939 

1 .  982 


11.295 
37.065 


'-"J.  ','s  1 


1981,210.72 
122,004.28 

899,937.13 
4, 437, 550. 98 
2,897,693.46 

1,103,866.14 

7,944,490.32 


6,601,315.30 
20, 165, 1 12.  .'.'.i 


13,773,002.45 


1.651 
.'J07 
.886 

1.614 

7.468 
1.876 

1.857 

13.370 


11. 109 
33.935 


Total :>3,  199,541.94 


Increase  in  total  of  dis- 
bursements effected  as 
compared  with  year  im- 
mediately preceding — 


58, 309, 933. 68 


.1105.75 


Legislature 

Executive 

Judiciary 

Department  of  Foreign  Relations 

Department  of  the  interior 

Department  of  Justice  and  Public  Instruction 

Department  of  Promotion,  Colonization,  ami  In- 
dustry   

Department    of    Communications    ami    Public 

Wi  >rks , 

Department  of  Finance  ami  Public  Credit: 

Administrative  srrvh  es 

Public  debt 

Department  of  War  ami  Navy 


1  19.  12 

169,  165.99 

549.81 

1,019,080.34 

4, 909,'.' I s.  72 
3,134,159.13 

968,788.64 

,831.  l"' 

7,036,665.13 

1 1,325,748.  1* 


Total 63. 081, 513. 73 


ae  in  total  of  disbursements  effected  as 
compared  with  year  immediately  pr<  ceding 


rereent- 
age. 


1.730 

.  s>-: 

.  798 

1.616 

7.  7M 

1.968 

1.636 

14.848 

11.155 
32.604 
22.710 


Percent- 
age. 


SI,  103, 911. 23 
278, 

401. 

860, 175.  45 
5,014,208.67 
3, 883, 979. 32 

1,063,536.06 

8,814,  128.  r. 

7,520,241.95 

14,992,499.26 


.Vi'J.L'O 


1.618 
.409 
.586 

1.262 

7.  :;:;>; 
5.696 

1.556 

12.928 

11.029 

21.979 


7.535 


""  In  the  year  under  review  the  budget  voted  by  the  Chamber  of 
Deputies  amounted  to  **>■>, 429. sSO.  (54;  but  this  appropriation  was 
increased  during  the  course  of  the  fiscal  year  to  §7,499,207.31.  by 
virtue  of  certain  provisions  contained  in  the  budget  itself. 

"JEToldings  in  cash. — At  the  termination  of  the  fiscal  }Tear  ending 
June  30,  1903,  the  Federal  Government  had  in  its  vaults  and  in  the 
hands  of  its  agents  or  correspondents  in  cash  the  sum  of  §30,917,018.35. 


PUBLIC    DEBT.  301 

"This  sum  compared  with  the  holdings  at  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal 
year  in  question — on  June  30,  1902 — show  the  following  increase: 

Holdings  in  cash  at  the  end  of  1901-2  (gold  and  silver,  not  reckoning 
the  premium  on  the  gold) $30,  635, 422.  82 

Holdings  in  cash  at  the  end  of  1902-3  (gold  and  silver,  not  reckoning 
the  premium  on  the  gold ) 30,  917,  018.  35 


Increase 281,  595.  53 

"The  holdings  were   divided  between  gold  and   silver  dollars  as 
follows: 


Held  on  June  30— 

1902. 

1903. 

84,401,539.97 

26, 233, 882. 85 

$2, 708, 785. 67 
28,208,232.68 

Total .- 

30,635,422.82 

30, 917, 01S.  35 

"In  the  course  of  the  fiscal  year  1902-3  the  holdings  in  gold 
decreased  by  $1,692,754.30,  and  the  holdings  in  silver  increased  by 
11,974,349.83. 

"balance  of  debtor  and  creditor  ACCOUNTS. 

Total  assets , $69, 480,  554.  60 

Total  liabilities,  the  public  debt  excepted 25,  232,  943.  89 

Difference  in  favor  of  the  nation 44,  247,  610.  71 

PUBLIC    DEBT. 

The  public  debt  of  Mexico  is  represented  by  bonds  of  differing  rates 
of  interest  and  payable  in  gold  or  silver,  according  to  designation. 

According  to  Romero/'  the  history  of  the  Mexican  foreign  debt  begins 
in  1825,  very  soon  after  the  independence  of  the  country  was  estab- 
lished, when  two  loans  were  contracted  in  London,  both  for  £10,000,000, 
the  interest  on  which,  owing  to  the  disturbed  conditions  prevailing  in 
the  Republic,  was  not  promptly  paid,  the  bonds  consequently  falling 
to  a  low  nominal  price.  In  1851,  after  the  war  with  the  United  States, 
that  debt  was  refunded  into  a  new  bond  issue,  the  interest  on  which 
was  reduced  from  5  to  3  per  cent.  The  internal  affairs  of  the  country 
not  permitting  the  payment  of  the  interest  on  these  bonds,  in  1888  a 
new  adjustment  was  made,  by  which  gold-bearing  bonds  at  6  per  cent 
were  issued,  the  interest  on  which  has  since  been  paid  promptly,  the 
bonds  reaching  par. 

From  1849  to  1856  bonds  were  issued  to  pay  claims  of  English, 
French,  and  Spanish  subjects,  under  certain  conventions,  and  such 
bonds  were  subsequently  exchanged  at  differing  rates  for  the  6  per  cent 
gold  bonds  of  the  foreign  debt. 

«  "Mexico  and  the  United  States,"  New  York,  1898,  p.  129. 


302  MEXICO. 

Iii  L888  another  loan  was  negotiated  in  London  for  63,000,000,  at  5 
per  cent,  for  the  construction  of  the  Tehuantepec  Railroad.  The  sub- 
sidies granted  to  railway  companies  were  payable  in  silver  with  a  per- 
centage of  the  import  duties,  but  a^  they  amounted  to  a  considerable 

sum  and  were  a  heavy  drain  on  tin-  national  treasury,  the  Government, 

in  L890,  contracted  another  loan  in  London,  on  a  gold  basis,  at  6  per 
cent  interest,  to  be  applied  to  the  subsidies  due  most  of  the  railway 
companies  up  to  that  date. 

In  L850  a  domestic  or  interior  debt  was  contracted,  covered  by  bond- 
bearing  interest  payable  in  silver  at  .".  ami  5  per  cent.  There  was. 
besides,  other  indebtedness  of  various  kinds, growing  out  of  loans  and 
other  obligations  entered  into  at  a  time  when  the  Government  revenues 
were  not  sufficient  for  its  expenditures.  All  these  debts  have  been 
consolidated  into  new  bonds,  bearing  interest  at  :;  and  5  per  cent,  pay- 
able in  silver,  and  the  railway  subsidies  remaining  unpaid  from  the 
proceeds  of  the  lean  of  L890  have  been  met  by  bonds  at  5  per  cent. 
both  interest  and  principal  being  paid  in  silver. 

Romero"  states  that  "it  is  very  onerous  to  Mexico,  when  it  is  on  a 
silver  basis,  to  pay  in  gold  the  interest  of  its  foreign  debt,  because  we 
have  to  buy  gold  at  current  prices,  and  it  costs  us  now  double  it-  cur- 
rent price.  When  silver  was  about  50  cents  on  the  dollar,  as  compared 
with  gold,  6  per  cerfl  interest  of  our  foreign  debt  cost  us  L2  per  cent, 
and  of  course  the  further  silver  is  depreciated  the  greater  will  he  the 
cost  of  paying  the  interest  of  our  gold  debt."  President  Diaz  gives, 
in  his  report  of  November  30,  1806,  the  following  data  about  the  cost 
to  the  Mexican  treasury  of  buying  exchange  to  place  in  London  the 
funds  to  pay  the  gold  interest  on  the  foreign  debt: 

Fiscal  year: 

L898  99 $729,  17s.  17 

1890-91 2, 314,  477.  77 

1891-92 3,225,246.  77 

1 892  93 5, 101,  223.  57 

The  total  amount  of  the  Mexican  debt  on  the  30th  of  June.  1896, 
was  $203,225,067.34,  as  follows: 

Sterling  Mexican  debt $11  1,675,895.  L9 

Payable  in  silver 88,  549,  1 1 1.  80 

In  189&-97  a  third  division  of  the  debt  was  introduced  under  the 
name  of  Floating  Debt,6  and  which,  at  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year  named, 
stood  as  follows: 
Debt  payable  in  foreign  coin  atthe  rate  of  $5 per  pound  sterling...  $108,865,528.00 

Bonded  det>1  payable  in  silver 91,951,573.21 

Floating  debt 1 ,  47:;.  696.  70 

T(  »tal - 202,  290,  797.  91 

oOpus  cit.,  p.  130. 

&The  filiating  debt  consists  of  credits  and  other  certificates  not  presented  for  con- 
version, uncollected  interest  and  unpaid  balances  of  previous  estimates. 


PUBLIC    DEBT.  303 

At  the  end  of  the  fiscal  years  1897-98,  and  1898-99,  the  public  debt, 
including  uncollected  interests,  stood  as  follows: 


Foreign  debt  (gold)  .. 
Mexican  debt  (silver) 
Floating  debt 


Total. 


1897-98. 


B109,509,544.00 
103,997,703.23 

1,401,808.63 


214, 809, 055. 86 


$108, 945, 084. 00 

114,542,647.93 

953,619.21 


224,441,351.14 


At  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year  1901-2  the  debt  stood  as  follows: 

Foreign  debt  (gold) $113, 513, 980.  50 

Mexican  debt  (silver) 147, 097, 930.  57 

Floating  debt 1,  342, 403.  50 

Total i 261,  954,  314.  57 

The  floating1  debt  is  a  noninterest-bearing  debt,  while  the  Mexican 
bonded  and  the  foreign  debt  are  interest  bearing.  The  debt  proper — 
that  is,  not  including  the  uncollected  interest — for 1901-2  amounts  to 
),409,153.50,  as  follows: 


Foreign  debt $112, 053, 800.  00 

Mexican  bonded 146, 012,  350. 00 

Floating  debt 1,  342, 403.  50 

The  debt  payable  in  foreign  gold  is  represented  by  the  value  it 
would  attain  should  the  foreign  rate  of  exchange  be  at  par,  the  sup-, 
posed  value  of  $5  per  pound  sterling  being  the  most  approximate 
valuation.  The  floating  debt  is  made  up  of  credits  which  the  parties 
interested  have  not  collected  or  converted  into  other  bonds  according 
to  the  laws  governing  the  public  debt.  The  Federal  treasury  has  not 
among  its  floating  debt  a  single  "short-time"  bond,  either  interest 
bearing  or  not,  issued  since  July,  1894,  in  payment  of  any  claims. 
As  to  the  uncollected  or  unclaimed  interest  on  either  the  gold  or  silver 
debt,  the  respective  amounts  are  deposited  in  the  banks  and  banking 
houses  in  charge  of  said  debts,  those  of  the  silver  debt  being  placed  in 
the  National  Bank,  and  those  of  the  gold  bonds  of  1888,  1890,  and 
1893  with  the  firm  of  S.  Bleichroeder,  of  Berlin. 

In  June,  1899,  negotiations  were  entered  into,  conducted  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  person,  having  for  their  object  the  con- 
version of  the  foreign  gold  debt,  which  culminated  in  the  signing  of  a 
contract  in  Berlin,  whereby  J.  P.  Morgan  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  J.  S. 
Morgan  &  Co.,  of  London,  S.  Bleichroeder,  the  Deutsche  Bank,  and 
the  Dresden  Bank  of  Berlin  undertook  the  conversion  of  the  entire 
foreign  debt  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  viz:  Six  per  cent  loans  of 
1888,  1890,  and  1893,  and  the  5  per  cent  Tehuantepec  loan,  heretofore 
issued  in  London  and  Berlin,  into  a  5  per  cent  consolidated  external 
gold  loan  due  within  forty-five  years  at  par  by  semiannual  drawings, 
which  may  be  increased  after  the  year  1909,  the  first  one  to  take  place 


304  MEXICO. 

in  June,  L900,  <>r  by  purchase  in  the  market  if  same  can  be  made  under 
par.  Principal  and  interest  of  the  bonds  payable  in  gold  in  <  rermany, 
London,  Amsterdam,  Berlin,  or  New  York,  in  the  last  city  at  the  rate 

of  si.v>  per  pound  sterling.  Bonds  to  be  issued  in  denominations  of 
from  £20  to  61,000,  at  the  option  of  the  subscriber.  The  bonds  are 
secured  by  a  special  hypothecation  of  62  per  cent  of  the  import  and 

export  duties  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico.  The  annual  interest  and 
sinking-fund  requirement  for  the  entire  external  debt  of  Mexico,  as 
consolidated,  is  about  Kt>,20<>,000  gold,  the  total  amount  of  the  issue 
being  622,700,* »<><),  of  which  f5. <><)<>,< too  are  reserved  for  allotment  in 
the  United  States  and  in  Holland. 

( lommenting  upon  this  operation  "  Kl  Mundo,""  a  Mexican  journal, 
says: 

"The  Mexican  Government,  with  6  per  cent  gold  securities, quoted 
at  L02  and  L03,  and  5  per  cent  silver  at  !»'.»  and  99$,  has  succeeded  in 
placing,  on  the  best  markets  of  Europe,  a  5  per  eent  loan,  over  one- 
half  of  it  (£13,000,000) at  i»<;  flat  and  the  balance  at  97J.  According 
to  this  arrangement  the  Mexican  Government  will  receive: 

I". ir  the £1  .'.,000,000,  at  96 £12,480,000 

For  the £9,700,000,  al  97}  optional 9,423,250 

T«  .tal 21  ,!>i:<,250 

Less  I  per  cent  commission  on  622,700,000 227,000 

Balance 21,686,250 

"This,  being  estimated  at  the  rate  of  s;.  gold  per  pound  sterling,  i- 
equivalent  to  $108,431,250  gold,  but  as  our  debt,  including  the  mort- 
gage loan  on  the  Isthmus  Railroad,  amounts  at  present  to  *lt>7.2><',.  loo 
gold,  there  will  be  a  surplus  of  $1,145,150  gold,  to  meet  the  necessary 
expenses  connected  with  the  loan  and  the  further  necessities  of  the 
Treasury." 

On  the  5th  of  July,  L899,  President  Diaz  issued  a  decree  for  the 
conversion  of  the  Mexican  public  gold  debt,  in  accordance  with  the 
terms  of  the  contract  signed  at  Berlin,  from  the  1st  of  September 
following. 

The  report  of  the  Secretary  of  Finance  before  mentioned  gives  the 
following  information  in  regard  to  the  condition  of  the  public  debt  of 
Mexico  in  1902-3: 

••  Gi  /"  ml  status  of  the  public  '/<  ot. — The  public  debt  of  the  nation  at 
the  close  of  the  fiscal  year  1902-3  consisted  of  the  following  securities 
and  amounts: 

a"Los  Eetados  Unidos  Mexicanos — Bus  progresos  en  veinte  anos  de  paz — 1877- 
1897" — R.  de  Zaya^  Enriqnez — New  York,  p.  252. 


REDEMPTION    DEBT. 


305 


Principal. 

Uncollected 

interest. 

Total. 

Debt  payable  in  foreign  coin  at  $5  per  £1. 
Bonds  of  the  1888  loan 

823, 200. 00 

2, 700. 00 

1,100.00 

111,281,800.00 

82,  439. 00 

898. 50 

237. 00 

1,455,405.00 

23.75 

$25, 639. 00 
3, 598. 50 

Bonds  of  the  1*90  loan 

Bonds  of  the  1893  loan 

112,737,205.00 
23  75 

Mortgage  bonds  of  the  Tehuantepec  National  Rail  way . 

5,  200.  00 

5, 200. 00 

Total , 

111,314,000.00         1,459,003.25 

112,773,003.25 

Debt  payable  in  silver  coin. 

48,  476,  975. 00 

19, 595, 700. 00 
19,  525,  700.  00 
19.  712,  900.  00 
19, 839, 800. 00 

16, 842, 500. 00 

25. 00 

2, 000. 00 

9, 260, 000. 00 

5,939,500.00 

858,  837.  45 

118, 062. 00 
127,965.00 
96,270.00 

107,092.50 

1,250.00 

49,335,812.45 

19,713,762.00 
19.  653,  665.  00 
19,809,170.00 
19.946,892.50 

16  843  750  00 

Bonds  of  the  5  per  cent  interior  redeemable  debt: 

Provisional  certificates  of  the  5  per  cent  interior  re- 

25  00 

Bonds  of  the  Monterey  and  Mexican  Railway 

240.  00 

2.  211).  (Ml 
9,260,000.00 
5, 946, 685. 00 

7, 185. 00 

Total 

159, 195, 100. 00 

1,316,901.95 

160,512,001.95 

Noninterest-bearing  debt  (floating  debt). 

143, 967. 25 

2,785.45 

969, 969. 84 
153, 110. 92 

Uncollected  balances  of  budgets  prior  to  July  1, 1895, 
redeemable  at  so  much  per  cent,  according  to  de- 
cree of  Oct.  31,  1895 

Uncollected  balances  that  are  payable  in  full  in  cash 
appertaining  to  the  budgets  of   from  1896-97  to 
1902-3 

Sundry  balances  awaiting  collection,  according  to 

Total 

1,269,833.46 

RESUME. 

'  Debt  payable  in  foreign  coin  at  the  rate  of  85  per  pound  sterling 8112,  773, 003. 25 

Debt  payable  in  Mexican  money,  interest-bearing  securities 160, 512, 001. 95 

Debt  payable  in  Mexican  money,  uncollected  balances  and  floating  debt 1, 269,  S33. 46 


T< ital  of  debt 274, 554, 838. 66 

" Redemption  of  'the  debt. — The  following  table  sets  forth  the  amount 
of  securities  redeemed  in  each  class  of  the  public  debt  during  the  year 
1902-3: 

Securities  of  tin:  public  debt  thai  slum'  a  decrease  on  June  SO,  1903,  as  company!  with  flic 

same  date  in  1902. 


Debt  payable  in  foreign  money  at  $5  per  A  1  (principal) 

Bonds  of  the  1888  loan 

Bonds  of  the  1890  loan 

Five  per  cents,  1899 

Mortgage  bonds  of  the  Tehuantepec  National  Rail 
way 

Total 

Securities  of  the  debt,  payable  in  silver  (principal). 

Bonds  of  the  3  per  cent  consolidated  debt 

Bonds  of  the  5  per  cent  interior  redeemable  debt : 

First  series 

Second  series 

Third  series 

Fourth  series 

Bonds  of  the  Monterey  and  Mexican  Gulf  Railway. . 

Total 

509a— 04 20 


June  30,  1902.     June  30,  1903.     j^e™%™ 


829,400.00 

4, 800. 00 

112, 012, 500. 00 

6, 000. 00 


112, 052,  700. 00 


48, 972, 425. 00 

19,653,000.00 
19, 590, 800. 00 
19,772,100.00 
19, 898, 000. 00 
3, 000. 00 


127, 889, 325. 00 


823, 200. 00 

2, 700.  00 

111,281,800.00 

5, 200. 00 


111,312,900.00 


48, 476, 975. 00 

19, 595, 700. 00 
19, 525, 700. 00 
19,712,900.00 
19, 839. 800. 00 
2, 000. 00 


127,153,075.00 


86, 200. 00 

2, 100.  00 

730,  700.  00 

800.00 


739. 800. 00 


495, 450. 00 

57, 300.  00 
65, 100. 00 
59, 200. 00 
58, 200. 00 
1,000.00 


736. 250. 00 


306 


MEXICO. 


Securities  of  the  public  debt  that  show  a  deer  east   cm  June  SO,  1903,  as  compared  with  tht 
same  date  in  1908 — Continued. 


June  80,  1902. 

June  80,  1908. 

Decrease  on 
June  80,  1908. 

Nonintt  rest-bearing  debt  \  footing  debt  i. 
Certificates  of  arreare,  claims  not  presented  for  con- 

11,342,408.60 

•70.04 

1,842,408.60        1,209,888.46 

72,670.04 

RESUME. 


Debt  payable  in  foreign  money 

Debt  payable  in  silver  money 

Debt  not  bearing  interest  I  Boating  debl 


Total. 


2  O.OO 
72,670.04 

1,689,620.04 


"The  total  amount  of  the  debt  redeemed  in  L902-3  was  $1,539,620.04, 
against  $1,269,250,  which  was  the  amount  redeemed  in  the  preceding 

year. 

•'In  the  noninterest-bearing  floating  debt  there  has  been  a  decrease 
of  $72,570.04,  owing  to  the  redemption  of  certificates  of  arrears. 

"Increase  of  tht  debt. — The  following  table  shows  the  classes  <>t'  the 
<lcl»t  that  increased  and  the  amount  of  such  increase,  as  compared  with 
the  preceding  year: 


Securities  of  the  debl  payable  in  silver  |  principal  i. 

June  80, 1902. 

June  80,  1908. 

Increase  in 
1908. 

Provisional  certificates  of  bonds  of  tbe6percen1  inte- 

294,100 
3,669,500 

He,  i 

5,939,600 

$11,548,  nil 

70,000 

l(  ital 

8,863,600 

--J.7sj.000          13.918.40C 

""The  increase  in  the  debt,  as  in  the  given  previous  year,  occurred 
in  the  following  classes  of  securities  only: 

"Fifth  series  of  bonds  of  the  :>  percent  redeemable  debt,  and  bonds 
of  the  Veracruz  and  Pacific  Railway.  The  amount  of  both  classes  of 
securities  issued  during  the  year  under  review  is  considerable,  par- 
ticularly the  amount  of  certificates  of  the  fifth  series  of  the  5  per  cent 
redeemable  debt,  and  both  have  entered  into  circulation  by  virtue  of 
the  respective  contracts.'* 

BUDGET.0 

1903-Jf.. — The  budget  for  the  fiscal  year  commencing  July  1.  L903, 
and  terminating  June  30,  L904,  as  approved  by  the  House  of  Deputies, 
amounts  to  $74,838,268.77  Mexican  silver,  distributed  as  follows: 

Legislative %1, 155, 801. 20 

Executive 267,  300.  86 

Judicial 450,  803.  40 

Fi  ireign  "Relations 782,  576.  75 

6 See  tables  on  pages  412-413,  Chapter  XIX. 


BUDGET.  3U7 

Department  of  Interior: 

Personnel  and  expenses  of  the  department $3, 173,  549.  70 

Political  and  municipal  government  of  the  Federal  District 5,  731,  203.  55 

Political  and  municipal  government  of  the  Federal  territories 357, 143. 10 

Department  of  Justice 968,  969.  70 

Assistant  Secretary  <  >f  Public  Instruction 3, 123,  598.  03 

Department  of  Public  Works 1, 145,  718.  30 

Department  of  Communications 9,  743,  723.  83 

Treasury: 

Administration 7,  681,  740.  65 

Public  debt 24,  542,  543.  99 

Department  of  War 15,  713,  595.  71 

Total 74,  838,  268.  77 

WOJf.-o. — On  December  11, 1903,  the  Mexican  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury presented  to  the  Federal  Congress  the  budget  for  the  fiscal  }Tear 
1904—5,  from  which  the  following  data  are  collected: 

"The  forecast  of  the  revenue  which  will  be  collected  in  the  coining 
fiscal  year,  and  a  minute  examination  of  the  expenses  of  all  the  services 
of  the  public  administration  during-  the  same  period  of  time,  afford  a 
basis  for  the  presentation  of  the  budget  bill  for  the  year  in  question, 
subject  to  the  following  showing: 

Estimate  of  normal  revenue $79,  965,  000.  00 

Expenditure  proposed 79,  862, 157.  39 

Excess  of  revenue  over  expenditure 102,  842.  61 

"The  recapitulation  of  the  estimates  of  revenue  during  the  fiscal 
year  1904—5  shows  the  following  results: 

Taxes  on  foreign  commerce. 

Import  duties $31,  350,  000 

Export  duties 862,  000 

Sundry  port  dues 650,  000 

Guard  and  storage  dues 44,  000 

Pilotage  dues 19,  000 

Sanitary  dues 88,  000 

Consular  fees 364, 000 

Other  minor  taxes  on  foreign  commerce 1,  000 

Total  taxes  on  foreign  commerce 33,  378,  000 

Interior  taxes  payable  throughout  the  Federation. 
Stamp  revenues: 

Sales  of  common  stamps $12,  000,  000 

Federal  contribution 7,  050,  000 

Taxes  on  mining  property 1 ,  840,  000 

Three  per  cent  on  gold  and  silver 2,  980,  000 

Tax  on  tobacco 2,  555,  000 

Tax  on  alcohol 1 ,  250, 000 

Tax  on  cotton,  yarn,  and  cloth 1,  840,  000 

Trade-mark  and  patent  dues 35,  000 

Sundry  income  under  the  stamp  law 90,  000 

Total  yield  of  the  stamp  revenue 29,  640,  000 


308 


MKXK  (>. 


Other  Federal  internal  taxes: 

Faxes  on  coinage,  assay,  smelting,  separation,  and  refinement 

Total  interior  taxes  payable  thronghoul  the  Federation 

Taxes  payable  in  tht  Federal  District  and  territories. 

Direcl  taxes  on  real  estate,  business  license.-,  professional  tax,  taxes  on 

Hour  and  pnlque,  and  in  general  all  local  taxes  and  receipts 

Snccessiiins  and  donations 

Public  registry  of  property 

Total  Special  taxes  of  the  Federal  District  and  territories 

Public  ft  rvices. 

Earnings  <  >f  post-office .. 

Earnings  of  telegraph  office 

Earnings  of  certain  <  Jovernmenl  establishments 


Total  revenue  from  public  services 

Proceeds  from  the  Xctinn's  roil  estate. 
From  sundry  operations  therein 

Profits  "ml  minor  sources. 

National  lottery 

Minor  sources 


$1,800,000 
31,600,000 


18,359,000 

200,000 

60,000 

8,609,1 


$2, 980,  000 

1,655, 

38, I 

4,  573, 000 
* 140, 000 


$360,  000 

1 , 405, 000 

Total  lottery  and  minor  sources L, 765, 000 


RESUME. 

First  group s;;:;,:;:s,  oiKi 

Second  -roup 31,  500,  000 

Third  group 8,609,000 

Fourth  group 4,573,000 

Fifth  group 1 40,  000 

sixth  group 1,765,000 


Total  estimated  revenue  for  1904-5 79,965,000 

Departmental  appropriations  for  1904-5 79,  862, 157 

•'A  comparison  between  the  departmental  appropriations  of  the 
budget  for  L903-4  and  those  of  the  proposed  budget  for  1904-6  shows 
the  following  differences: 


Department. 


Budget  for 
1903-4. 


Budget  for 
1904-5. 


Legislature 

Executive 

Judiciary 

Department  of  Foreign  Relations 

Department  of  the  Interior 

Department  of  Justice 

Public  Instruction 

Department  of  Fomento 

Department  of  Communications  and  Public  Works 
Department  of  Finance  and  Public  Credit: 

Administrative  services 

Public  debt 

Department  of  War  and  Navy 


156,801.20 
267,  S00.  86 
(49,803.  lo 
788,  189.26 
261,774.85 
968,969.70 
136,698.48 
1  [5,718.80 
743, 723. 83 

681, 740. 68 
542, 643.  99 
713,596.31 


Total 74,850,060.27 


155,801.20 

282,341.11 
450, 423.  90 
773,034.14 
112,816.98 

520, 050. 56 
536,  106.66 

089, 605. 21 

884,138,45 
236,043.99 
689,200  B5 


79,862,157.39 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

MINTS,  CURRENCY,  BANKS,  BANKING  LAWS— CORPORATIONS. 

Since  the  enactment  of  the  law  of  June  6,  1887,  the  production  of 
gold  and  silver  has  greatly  increased  in  the  Republic,  and  it  is  due  to 
this  law  that  the  latter  metal  has  attained  its  present  enormous  output. 
The  main  objects  of  the  law  in  reference  were:  The  reduction  of  the 
cost  of  metal  production ;  to  relieve  the  mining  industry  as  much  as 
possible  of  the  onerous  taxes  and  obstacles  which  retarded  its  free 
development;  to  lower  the  cost  of  the  principal  raw  materials  required 
in  the  industry,  and  also  to  attract  capital.  Further  legislation  on 
June  6,  1892,  gave  a  new  impetus  to  mine  production^  the  output  of 
silver  from  1886  to  1891  being  valued  at  $199,208,204,  while  from  1891 
to  1896  it  aggregated  $267,122,118.  By  the  law  of  June  4,  1891,  the 
executive  was  authorized  to  grant  concessions  under  certain  condi- 
tions to  those  engaged  in  the  exploitation  of  gold  mines,  this  industry 
having  increased  its  production  from  $920,702  in  1890-91  to  $4,744,- 
512  in  1894-95,  and  to  $6,054,078  in  1895-96.  This  calculation  is  made 
on  the  basis  of  $20  silver  per  ounce  of  gold,  which  is  the  standard 
used  in  the  Mexican  statistical  tables.  It  is  claimed  that  these  figures 
do  not  cover  the  true  production  of  the  gold  districts,  as  almost  all 
the  exports  of  this  metal  are  shipped  clandestinely.3 

Mints  were  established  in  Mexico  in  1537,  the  custom  being  some- 
times followed  of  renting  them  to  private  individuals,  who  collected  a 
mintage  charge  of  nearly  4£  per  cent  upon  the  amount  of  bullion 
coined.  Until  within  eight  years  ago  there  were  thirteen  mints  in  the 
Republic,  but  as  increased  facilities  of  transportation  have  reduced  the 
difficulties  attendant  upon  the  carriage  of  the  bullion  from  mine  to 
mint,  this  number  has  been  decreased  to  three,  one  being  in  the  City 
of  Mexico,  one  in  Zacatecas,  and  one  in  Culiacan.  Besides  these  mints 
there  are  Federal  Assay  Offices  situated  at  Aguascalientes,  Alamos, 
Chihuahua,  Durango,  El  Paso  (Texas),  Guadalajara,  Guanajuato,  Her- 
mosillo,  Monterey,  Oaxaca,  San  Luis  Potosi,  Tezuithin,  and  Zacatecas. 

«"Los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos,  etc.,"  Kafael  de  Zayas  Euriquez,  New  York, 
p.  20. 

309 


310 


MEXICO. 


Coinage.0 — From  colonial  times  to  June  ::<»,  1902.  the  total  coinage 
of  the  Republic  is  represented  by  the  following  figures: 


From — 

Gold. 

Silver. 

Copper. 

Total. 

1587  to  1821  

968,778,411.00 
59,  868,  278.  50 

12,082,260,657.44 
1,887,676,274.28 

s93. 37 
,894.86 

-J,  161,681,961.81 

1822  to  L902                  

l.  154,  129,  W2.14 

Total     .           

128, 646, 684. 60 

3, 469, 935,  981.  72 

7,128,787.73 

3,605,711,403.95 

During  the  presidency  of  Gen.  Manuel  Gonzalez  nickel  to  the  value 

of  $4, ,000  was  coined,  but  this  was  subsequently  withdrawn  from 

circulation.  From  December  1899  to  June  30,  L902,  bronze  was 
coined  to  the  value  of  $65,150,  thus  bringing  the  total  coinage  to 
$1,458,194,572.14,  giving  a  yearly  average  of  $9,876,269. l>4  since 
1 537. 

During  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  HO,  1903,  money  was  coined  to 
the  value  of  $27, 200.534,  as  compared  with  a  coinage  of  K2.">.31.">,332 
during  the  fiscal  year  L901-2,  or  an  increase  of  si.ss;,.-n-_>  i„  L902  3. 
The  coinage  during  the  fiscal  year  1902-3  was  as  follows: 

Silver $26,  4:;s.  350 

(i.,1,1 713,146 

Copper 19, 038 

According  to  statistics  for  the  fiscal  year  L902—  3,  silver  coin  was 
exported  to  the  value  of  $21,098, 33!»,  and  gold  coin  valued  at  $106,598, 
showing  that  of  the  coinage  of  the  year  referred  to  there  remained  in 
the  country  in  circulation  $5,340,011  in  silver  coins  and  $606,548  in 
gold  coin. 

The  receipts  of  precious  metals  at  the  mints  and  Federal  assay  offices 
in  L901-2  were  as  follows: 


(,,,1.1. 

Silver. 

Total 

Kilos. 

Value. 

Kil,,-. 

Value. 

value. 

Minis 

4,875 
4,590 

$:;,  292,  hi:. 

3.  100,21)0 

566,016 
890,904 

122,749,897 
86,  151,355 

126,042,042 

39,551,656 

Total 

9,465 

6,392,815 

1,146,920 

59, 200,  752 

66, 593,  597 

The  disposition  of  these  meta 

Is  was  as  follows: 

For  coin- 
age. 

For  ex- 
port. 

Total 

value. 

Gold 

27,961,766 

•5,626,962 

31,238,98(5 

$6,392,845 

Silver 

59,200,762 

Total 

28.727.628 

36, 865,  968 

65, 593, 597 

Exports  of  specie. — In  a  report  to  the  Mexican  Monetary  Commis- 
sion the  following  information  is  found  with  regard  to  the  annual 


"  See  table  on  page  417,  Chapter  XIX. 


TAXES.  311 

export  of  silver  dollars  from  the  Republic,  which  is  stated  to  be  one  of 
the  most  interesting-  phenomena  in  international  currency  problems. 

"The  average  annual  exportation  of  silver  dollars  is  estimated  at 
$15,000,000,  though  in  1902  it  rose  to  $17,621,700.  Out  of  the  said 
amount  barely  10  per  cent  of  the  pesos  exported  to  London  are  melted 
down,  while  the  balance  of  the  London  shipments  and  all  those  sent  to 
the  United  States  are  reexported  to  India,  the  Straits  Settlements,  and 
the  Chinese  Empire.  The  pesos  which  reach  India  are  melted  down, 
whereas  in  other  oriental  countries  to  which  they  are  shipped  Mexi- 
can dollars  are  used  as  currency,  though  British  dollars  also  circulate 
in  the  Straits  Settlements  and  American  dollars  in  the  Philippines. 

"  In  regard  to  the  volume  of  the  demand  for  Mexican  dollars  in  the 
Far  East  in  former  times  and  the  present  demand  for  same,  it  is  stated 
that  the  Spanish  dollar  coined  in  Mexico  during  the  seventeenth  and 
eighteenth  centuries  and  the  Spanish  dollar  and  Mexican  dollar  in  the 
nineteenth  century  was,  par  excellence,  the  dollar  of  commerce, 
because  it  served  as  the  money  of  almost  all  the  nations  of  eastern 
Asia  and  even  of  the  British  possessions  in  North  America,  the  Span- 
ish West  Indies,  and  other  countries;  and  it  was  also  the  money  of  the 
United  States  at  the  time  of  the  declaration  of  their  independence. 
During  the  second  half  of  the  nineteenth  century  its  use  as  money  has 
gradually  been  reduced,  and  at  the  present  time  it  circulates  only  in 
the  Straits  Settlements,  in  the  Malay  States,  the  Philippine  Islands, 
and  the  Chinese  Empire,  all  of  them  countries  of  the  Far  East  of  Asia. 
It  will  soon  cease  to  circulate  as  legal  money  in  the  first  three  coun- 
tries, a  and  while  it  will  continue  to  be  used  as  a  trade  dollar  in  the 
Straits  Settlements  and  in  the  federated  Malay  States,  it  will  retain 
its  role  as  monej7  in  the  Chinese  Empire  only." 

Taxes. — Under  date  March  27,  1897,  the  President  issued  a  decree 
(No.  42)  whereby  gold  and  silver  are  subject  to  the  following  taxation: 

(1)  Interior  stamp  tax  at  the  rate  of  3  per  cent  on  the  value  of  said 
metals. 

(2)  Mintage  dues  at  the  rate  of  2  per  cent  on  the  value  of  said 
metals. 

(3)  Assay  dues,  in  conformity  with  the  tariff  that  the  Department 
of  the  Treasury  may  promulgate. 

(4)  Smelting,  refining,  and  other  dues  as  they  may  be  decreed  by 
the  Treasury  Department. 

A  subsequent  decree,  November  26,  1902,  provides  that  on  and  after 
the  1st  day  of  January,  1903,  the  assessment  of  the  3  per  cent  stamp 
tax  and  the  2  per  cent  coinage  tax  provided  for  by  the  law  of  March  27, 
1897,  shall  be  made,  in  so  far  as  gold  is  concerned,  according  to  the 

«  Since  January  1,  1904,  the  Mexican  dollar  has  ceased  to  circulate  in  the  Philip- 
pines, being  superseded  by  the  "Conant"  dollar,  worth  50  cents  American  gold. 


312  MKXKO. 

commercial  value  of  said  metal  expressed  in  silver,  which  value  shall 
be  determined   in  accordance   with  the   provisions  of  the   following 

article: 

"Akt.  _.  The  commercial  value  of  gold  expressed  in  silver  shall  be 
fixed  each  month,  taking  as  a  basis  the  value  of  $675,416  thai  the 
monetary  law  assigns  to  a  kilogram  of  gold,.which  value  shall  be 
reduced  to  silver  dollars  according  to  the  average  rate  of  exchange 
on  New  York  daring  the  lir>i  t  wenty-five  days  of  t  he  previous  month." 

The  Department  of  Finance,  on  any  of  the  days  between  the  26th 
and  28th  of  each  month,  shall  notify  the  director-  of  the  mints  and 
the  custom-house  collectors  said  rate  of  exchange,  so  that  it  may  tie 
used  in  the  liquidation  of  the  dues  on  the  precious  metal-  presented 
for  coinage  or  exportation  from  the  first  to  the  last  day  of  the  Follow- 
ing mqnth.  The  commercial  value  of  the  kilogram  of  gold,  in  silver 
coin,  on  which  to  hase  the  estimates  d urine-  the  month  of  March.  L904, 
the  3  per  cent  for  the  stamp  tax  and  the  2  per  cent  for  the  coinage 
tax  in  conformity  with  the  decree  of  November  26,  L902,  was  fixed  at 
$1,460.32. 

The  stamp  and  mintage  due-  a-  well  a-  the  assay  dues  will  always 
he  paid,  whether  the  pieces  are  to  he  coined  or  whether  the  metal-  or 

substances  are  to  he  exported.  The  smelting  dues  are  to  he  collected 
upon  such  pieces  that,  not  being  homogeneous,  must  be  smelted  in 
order  to  assay  them  and  estimate  upon  their  value.  The  refining  and 
other  due-  apply  only  to  pieces  to  he  coined.  Foreign  coin-  are 
exempted  from  the  provisions  of  section  L,  above  mentioned,  and  will 
only  he  subject  to  the  payment  of  coinage  dues,  a-  provided  in  sect  ions 
3  and  4, above  mentioned,  when  they  are  introduced  into  the  mint-  to 
be  coined. 

«  IURENCY. 

The  present  monetary  system  of  Mexico  i-  regulated  by  the  law  of 
November  28,  L867,0  which  introduced  the  decimal  monetary  system 
in  the  country.  The  preamble  of  this  law  states  its  object  to  he  to 
establish  a  uniform  system  of  currency  without  making  an y  essential 
modifications  in  the  value  of  the  monetary  unit,  which  -hall  remain 
the  silver  dollar  (peso).  'Phis  dollar  is  to  weigh  27.073281  grams,  and 
he  of  a  fineness  of  0.902  plus(0.777  of  0.001).  The  weight  of  this  dol- 
lar is,  expressed  in  grains  troy,  417.79.  The  amount  of  pure  silver  in 
the  dollar  is  377.139  grains  troy.  The  variation  allowed  at  the  mints 
in  the  weight  is  750  grains  either  way  for  each  $l,0<>u.  and  the 
maximum  for  each  dollar  is  U  grains. 

o  Leyee  y  disposicionee  ivlativas  ;i  la  Moneda  Nacional — 1821-1899 — Secretarfa  de 

Estado  y  del  Despaeho  de  Hacienda  y  Credito  Publico— Mexico — 1900. 


SPECIE. 


313 


The  weights  of  all  the  silver  coins  are  given  below: 


Silver  coins,  a 

Weight  in 
grams. 

Equivalent 
in  grains. 

81 

27. 073281 
13. 536 

6.768 

2.707 

1.352 

417.79 

208. 90 

104. 45 

41.77 

20.  865 

a  By  a  law  passed  in  December,  1897,  the  mints  commenced,  in  January,  1898,  to  coin  a  new  peso 
and  a  20-centavo  piece.  The  peso  is  of  the  same  weight  and  fineness,  but  bears  different  inscriptions 
from  those  on  the  old  S-real  peso.  A  bronze  centavo  was  created  by  decree  of  December  21,  1899,  con- 
taining 95  parts  of  copper,  4  parts  of  tin,  and  1  part  of  zinc. 


The  fineness  of  gold  coins  is  0.875. 
are  given  in  the  following  table: 


The  denominations  and  weights 


Gold  coins. 

Weight. 

820 

Grams. 
33. 841 

$10 

16. 920 

$5 

8  460 

12.50  

4. 230 

81 

1.692 

The  ratio  is  16  to  1. 

Specie.0-'- — The  first  monetary  census  of  Mexico,  made  in  1903,  shows 
the  following  figures: 


Gold. 

Silver. 

Copper. 

Specie. 

Pesos. 

Fractional 
coin. 

Total. 

8173, 512 

250, 578 

5,929 

52, 866 

848, 295, 726 

6,707,917 

2, 443, 793 

697,686 

81,677,283.10 

860, 839. 50 

354,487.70 

79, 200. 30 

82, 428. 59 
36, 758. 88 
18, 709. 29 
3, 793. 88 

850,14S,919.69 

7,856,093.38 

2, 822, 918. 99 

833  546  18 

In  the  public  treasuries 

Total 

482, 885 

58, 145, 122 

2,971,810.60 

61,690.64 

61  661  508  24 

In  his  report  to  the  Federal  Congress  relative  to  the  financial  situ- 
ation of  Mexico  during  the  fiscal  year  1901-02,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  made  the  following  statements: 

The  amount  of  specie  held  in  the  various  banks  of  the  country  dur- 
ing the  year  in  reference,  was: 


Date. 


Banks  of  the 
capital. 


State  banks. 


Total. 


1901 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

1902 

January 

February  

March 

April 

May 

June 


8 43,  345, 808. 12 
43,  860, 996. 68 
41,491,876.47 
39, 656, 535. 44 
38,351,931.10 

•  36,902,382.54 


37, 798, 926. 39 
38, 326, 160.  42 
38, 395, 875. 43 
39,  682,  396.  04 
41,062,694.76 
43, 520, 749. 33 


815, 383, 589. 73 
16, 033, 210. 59 
16,225,377.66 
16, 224, 866.  80 
16,456,892.45 
16,  996, 500.  49 


17, 184, 936.  58 
17,978,057.59 
18, 375,  728.  63 
18, 625, 472. 58 
18,968,060.85 
19,399,385.99 


858, 729, 397. 85 
69, 894, 207. 27 
57,720,254.03 
55.881,402.24 
54,808,823.55 
53,898,882.96 


i4. 983, 862. 99 
56,304,218.03 
56,771,604.06 

58,307,868.62 
60, 030, 755. 61 
62,  920, 135. 32 


"See  table  on  page  416,  Chapter  XIX. 


314  MEXICO. 

In  the  preceding  fiscal  year,  L900  L901,  the  minimum  holding  of 
specie  was  146,155,002  in  the  month  of  January,  L901;  in  the  fiscal 
year  1  '.»< > l  •_'  the  minimum  \\a>  153,898,000  in  December,  L901,  as  is 
shown  in  tlir  foregoing  statement;  the  maximum  holding  in  the  former 
year  was  $58,220,000  in  June,  L901,  and  in  the  latter  year  the  maximum 
was  162,920,000  in  June,  L902. 

The  oote  circulation  advanced  from  163,778,000  to  $77,467,000;  bills 
discounted  rose  from  $91,865,000  to  $108,794,000,  and  loan-  on  collat- 
erals and  mortgages  increased  in  equal  proportion.     The  capital  stock 

of  the  banks  rose  from  $78,300, to  $83,300,000,  and  the  unpaid  pari 

of  this  capita]  was  $5,040,000  in  dune.  L901,  and  $4,850,000  in  June, 
L902.  Tin'  reserve  funds  were  increased  by  *2.i>h<U>0o,  and  the  emer- 
gency funds  by  $438,000. 

BANKS. 

Al  the  end  of  the  calendar  year  L902  there  were  in  the  Republic  24 
banks  of  issue,  2  mortgage  banks.  4  "  refaccionarios,"  or  loan  banks, 
and  1  trust  company.  The  paper  of  the  banks  of  issue  is  noi  legal 
tender,  it  being  covered  by  large  deposits  of  coin.  The  Government 
issues  no  paper  money,  and  as  a  rule  does  not  retain  any  specie  in 
the  Treasury  vaults,  the  National  Bank,  which  acts  as  depository. 
paying  all  warrants,  etc. 

On  June  30,  L902,  the  leading  banking  institutions  of  the  country 
held  in  cash  $69,528,374.32,  while  the  amount  of  bills  in  circulation 
was  $77,466,988.25,  the  authorized  capital  of  these  institutions, 
including  the  Trust  ( lompany,  being  $85,300,000  and  the  unsubscribed 
capital  $5,850,000.  The  general  condition  of  these  institutions  on  the 
date  in  reference  is  shown  as  follows: 

Assets. 

[Jnsubscribed  capital $5,  850,  (ion.  en 

( 'ash 69,  528,  374.  32 

Bills  receivable 108,794,411.70 

I. nans  'in  personal  property 42,  862,  303.00 

Hypi  ithecary  loans 12, 057, 085. 06 

Loans  on  real  estate - 4,  005,  t>t>4.  22 

Public  funds  held  by  the  banks 5,571,865.  27 

Current  debtor  accounts - 67,513,817.  18 

Furniture  and  fixtures -,  546,  022.  56 

T<  »tal 318,  730, 143.  31 

Liabilities. 

Authorized  capital $85,  300, 000. 00 

Bills  in  circulate >n 77, 466, 988.  25 

Mortgage  and  ether  bonds  in  circulation - 12,  734,  300.  00 

Sight  deposits 7,460,105.62 

Other  dep< .sits 7, 421 ,  535.  61 

a  By  order  of  the  Treasury  Department,  1897,  hanks  were  forbidden  to  count  as 
cash  on  hand  note-  of  their  own  or  other  hanks,  so  that  the  term  "cash  on  hand" 
represents  actual  specie. 


BANKS    OF    ISSUE. 


315 


Current  credit  accounts $111,  975,  877.  77 

Reserve  fund 12,  480,  293. 19 

Surplus  fund 3,  891,  042.  87 

Total 318,  730, 134.  31 

New  h<t it),-*. — During-  the  year  1902  six  new  banks  were  organized 
under  the  charters  issued  in  accordance  with  the  general  banking  law 
of  March  19, 1897,  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  with  an  aggregate 
capital  of  $3,300,000,  namely: 

Banco  de  Chiapas $500, 000 

Banco  de  Agaascalientes 600, 000 

Banco  de  Tarnaulipas 1,  000,  000 

Banco  de  Refaccionario  de  Chihuahua 200,  000 

Banco  de  Oaxaca 500, 000 

Banci  >  de  Hidalgo 500,  000 

These  additions  raised  the  number  of  chartered  banks  to  30  at  the 
end  of  the  }-ear  1902. 

Five  banks  during  1902  increased  the  capital  with  which  they  were 
organized  under  the  original  charters,  the  increase  being  made  with 
the  approval  of  the  Treasury  Department  and  forming  an  aggregate 
of  $4,750,000,  as  follows: 

Banco  Yucateco $1, 500,  000 

Banco  de  Jalisco 1,  500,  000 

Banco  Mercantil  de  Yucatan 1,  000,  000 

Banco  de  Nuevo  Leon 500,  000 

Banco  de  Guanajuato 250,  000 

Jin  til's  of  issue. — The  following  table  shows  the  banks  of  issue  of  the 
Republic  on  December  31,  1902,  their  capital,  unsubscribed  capital, 
cash  on  hand,  and  bills  in  circulation,  as  given  in  the  "Anuario  Esta- 
distico,r  for  1903: 


Authorized 
capital. 


Unsub- 
scribed 
capital. 


Cash  on  hand. 


Bills  in 
circulation. 


Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 
Banco 


Nacional  de  Mexico 

de  Londres  y  Mexico  ... 
Minero  de  Chihuahua  . . 

Yucateco 

Mercantil  <le  Yucatan .. 

de  Durango 

de  Zacatecas 

de  Nuevo  Leon 

del  Estado  de  Mexico. . . 

de  <  'onhuila 

de  San  Luis  Pi  itosi 

de  Scmora 

Occidental  de  Mexico  . . 
Mercantil  de  Veracruz  . 

de  Jalisco 

Mercantil  de  Monterrey 

Oriental  de  Mexico 

de  Guanajuato 

de  Tabasco 

de  Chiapas 

de  Hidalgo 

de  Tarnaulipas 

de  Aguascalientes 

de  Oaxaca 


S20, 000,  000 
1.".,  00U,  000 
5,  000,  000 
6, 000, 000 
■1,000,000 
l.iiiu,  nun 
1,000,000 
2,  000,  000 

1,  500, 000 
1,000,000 
1,100,000 
1,000,000 
1,500,000 
2, 000,  000 
1,500,000 

2,  .TOO,  000 
3, 000, 000 

750, 000 

■ ,000 

500, 000 

1,000,000 

000,  000 

500,000 


$500, 000 


1,500,000 
"  '466,066' 


227,  550 


51)0,000 


300, 000 
245,000 

156, 770 

500,  000 
300, 000 
250, 000 


Sis,  921, 

1.0,689, 

2,474, 

4,770, 

2, 139, 

186, 

580, 

889, 

1,082, 

804, 

1 .  329, 

1,305, 

668, 

1,  721, 

1,217, 

681, 

2, 115, 

858, 

416, 

162, 

198, 

531, 

304, 

320, 


752.62 
767.  08 

716.  79 
383. 06 
827.30 
145.  04 
864.24 
237.10 
143.79 
092.58 
'.107.  60 
901.83 
957. 44 
323. 94 
968.71 
5 is.  70 
075.62 
770.85 
806.54 
703.07 
107.  14 
240. 91 
534.11 
983.  40 


828,348,819 
18,814,940 

3, 259.  786 

7, 994, 869 

2,311,582 

790, 300 

910, 061 

2,243,915 

1.S5S,  175 

1,580,185 

2, 397, 745 

2,157,225 

1,142,625 

2,  S01,  565 

1,981,820 

1,156,955 

3,191,020 

1,474,915 

679, 870 

270,620 

208,  415 

365, 520 

204, 400 


Total 74,550,000  1     5,129,320  1     54,663,029.82 


86, 145, 227 


316  MEXICO. 

Mortgag<  banks.  -The  mortgage  banks  of  Mexico  on  the  same  date 
were  the  "Banco  [nternacional  el  Hipotecario  de  Mexico,"  with  an 
authorized  <-:i pi t :il  of  15,000,000 and  unsubscribed  capital  of  si.noo.ooo. 
having  bonds  in  circulation  to  the  amount  of  $9,851,200,  and  the 
••  Banco  A-gricola  Hipotecario  de  Mexico,"  with  an  authorized  capital 
of  $ 2,000,000. 

Loan  banks. — The  loan  Wanks  {Bancos  Refaccionarios)  were  the  fol 
lowing:    "Banco   Central    Mexicano,"   capital    s7.000.000;    "Banco 
Refaccionario  de  Campeche," capital,  1300,000;  '"  Banco  Refaccionario 
de  Michoacan,"  capital  $300,000;  and  "  Banco Comercial  Refaccionario 
de  Chihuahua,"  with  an  authorized  ca])ital  of  Si'oo.OOO. 

Trust  companies.-  -"Almacenes  Generales  de  Deposito  de  Mexico 
y  Veracruz:"  capital.  £l\000.000. 

Banking  operations. — The  status  of  banking-  and  currency  opera- 
tions within  the  Republic  on  December  31,  L902,  as  compared  with  the 
corresponding  date  of  the  previous  year,  was  as  follow-: 

The  aggregate  capital  of  the  banks  on  December  31,  11)01.  was 
sso.300,000,  and  on  December  ML,  L902,  &S9,350,000,  an  increase  of 
$9,050,000  for  the  year.  The  aggregate  cash  holdings  on  Demember 
31,  1901,  were,  in  specie,  $53,898,882;  in  paper.  $5,616,634;  total, 
s.v.i. :»i:.. -Jit',;  December  31,  1902,  in  specie.  $53,008,722;  in  paper, 
,278;  total,  $57,521,000.  The  specie  in  L902  was  $890,160  less 
than  in  L901,  and  the  bank  notes  in  L902  were  $1,104,086  less  than  in 
l'.Mil.  The  aggregate  of  bank  notes  in  circulation  December  31,  1901, 
was  ST i.j;,7.(;L'i;;  December  31,  L902,  $86,145,225,  an  increase  of 
Si  t,887,599. 

The  aggregate  of  loans  on  collaterals  December  31,  L901,  was 
s:;s.7si'.:;-J7:  December  31,  L!»()2,  spt.nns.ols,  an  increase  of  $11,125,- 
691.  The  aggregate  of  the  loans  on  mortgages  December  31,  liJOl, 
was  $15,186,985;  December  31,  1902,  $11,735,107,  an  increase  of 
i*2,r»4.s.l22.  Theaggregate  reserves  December  31,  L901,  was  $14,239,- 
293;  December  31,  L902,  $16,772,855,  an  increase  of  $2,533,562.  The 
debtor  accounts  in  December,  L901,  were  $63,365,009;  in  December, 
L902,  they  were  $82,598,859,  an  increase  of  $19,233,850.  The  creditor 
account-  in  December,  L'.»<»1,  were  Sl»s.4^2.621;  in  December.  1902, 
they  were  $133,274,090,  an  increase  of  $34,854,469. 

Principal  banks.-  The  three  principal  banks  of  the  Republic  are: 
The  National  Bank  of  .Mexico,  a  stock  company,  with  branch  offices 
at  Chihuahua,  Durango,  Guadalajara  (Jalisco),  Guanajuato,  Mazatlan 
(Sinaloa),  Merida  (Yucatan).  Monterey  (Nuevo  Leon).  Oaxaca,  Puebla, 
San  Luis  Potosi,  San  Juan  Bautista  (Tabasco),  Tampico  (Tamaulipas), 
Veracruz,  and  Zacatecas;  the  International  and  Mortgage  Bank,  a 
limited  stock  company,  having  a  board  of  directors  in  the  City  of 
Mexico  and  another  in  New  York,  and  the  London  and  Mexico  Bank, 
also  a  stock  company,  with  branch  offices  in  Guadalajara,  Guanajuato, 


AMERICAN    CAPITAL.  817 

Lerdo,  Mazathin,  Monterey,  Morelia,  Puebla,  Queretaro,  San  Luis 
Potosi,  and  Veracruz. 

The  Bank  of  London  and  Mexico  commenced  its  operations  in  the 
Republic  under  the  name  of  the  Bank  of  London,  Mexico,  and  South 
America,  without  a  Federal  concession.  This  was  not  necessary 
according  to  the  law  then  in  force.  When,  in  1884,  owing  to  the  com- 
mercial code,  it  became  necessary  to  obtain  such  a  concession,  that  of 
the  Employees'  Bank  was  transferred  to  it  with  modifications.  In 
1889  a  new  contract  was  executed,  changing  the  name  to  the  Bank  of 
London  and  Mexico,  and  further  modifjnng  the  contract  of  1886. 

The  Mexican  National  Bank  was  established  in  1881,  the  contract 
being  modified  in  1884,  when  permission  was  granted  to  combine  with 
the  Mercantile  Mexican  Bank  and  change  the  name  of  the  institution 
to  National  Bank  of  Mexico. 

The  Mortgage  Bank  (Banco  Hipotecario)  was  established  by  virtue 
of  a  concession  bearing  date  of  May  22,  1882,  and  modified  in  August, 
1888,  when  its  name  was  changed  to  that  it  now  bears  (International 
and  Mortgage  Bank  of  Mexico)  and  its  capital  increased. 

The  oldest  banking  institution  of  Mexico  is  the  Monte  de  Piedad 
(National  Pawn  Shop),  which  was  established  in  1775,  with  a  capital  of 
$300,000,  given  by  Don  Pedro  Romero  de  Terreros.  Formerly  it  pos- 
sessed the  authority  to  issue  notes,  but  this  authority  has  been  revoked 
and  all  the  notes  redeemed.  It  is  in  reality  a  charity,  the  business  of 
which  amounts  to  over  $1,000,000,  distributed  among  60,000  borrowers. 

The  existing  banks  are  prosperous  and  in  a  flourishing  condition, 
but  the  demand  for  increased  facilities  are  such  that  new  banks  are 
being  established  and  the  operations  of  the  old  ones  increased  and 
extended  in  various  directions. 

The  privileges  of  issuing  bank  notes  or  bills  on  demand  in  the  Fed 
eral  District  is  confined  to  the  Bank  of  London  and  Mexico  and  the 
National  Bank.  Though  this  privilege  is  also  granted  to  the  banks  to 
be  established  in  the  States  of  the  Republic,  the}^  will  not  be  per- 
mitted officiall}'  to  establish  redemption  agencies  for  their  notes  in  the 
capital,  and  it  will  be  a  long  time  before  the  bills  of  the  States'  banks 
occupy  the  same  position  in  the  public  confidence  as  those  issued  at  the 
capital,  though  they  are  now  circulating  more  freely.  There  are  a 
great  many  private  banking  houses  in  the  City  of  Mexico  and  else- 
where, which  have  a  high  standing  and  do  an  excellent  business. 

American  capital. — Consul  General  Barlow,  in  his  report  before 
quoted,  states  the  following  in  regard  to  American  investments  in 
banking  in  Mexico: 

"American  capital  is  beginning  to  assume  importance  in  the  banking 
of  Mexico,  and  this  interest  is  one  that  is  growing  rapidly.  Ameri- 
can methods,  which  were  unknown  here  a  few  }^ears  ago,  have  revo- 
lutionized banking  in  this  country  and  placed  it  on  a  business  rather 


:;is  Mexico. 

than  a  social  basis.  A.s  \ •  ■  t  the  total  amount  of  American  capital 
invested  in  banking  in  this  country  naturally  mainly  in  this  city  is 
relatively  small,  bul  it  i-  a  powerful  leaven  in  the  loaf,  and  threatens 
to  become  the  body  of  it  in  the  next  few  year-.  American  capital 
has  recently  acquired  considerable  interests  in  three  of  the  leading 
banks  of  Mexico,  namely,  the  London  Bank,  the  Central  Bank,  and 
the  International  and  Mortgage  Bank.  Two  trust  companies,  in 
which  American  capital  is  mainly  interested,  have  recently  started  in 
this  city.  The  two  small  American  hanks  which  are  operating  here 
have  been  thus  Ear  very  successful,  and  others  are  now  being  started 
in  various  cities  of  the  Republic  where  there  are  large  American 
interests." 

Banking  met /tods — Bank  failures  are  unknown  in  Mexico.  The 
Government  has  an  inspector  attached  to  each  hank,  whose  duty  it  is 
to  exercise  a  strict  supervision  over  the  issuance  of  hank  notes,  and 
other  operation-  of  the  note-  being  dependent  upon  his  signature. 

II  gislahon. 

The  law  providing  for  the  establishment  of  banks,  passed  on  dune  •".. 
1896,  also  provide-  that  the  Executive  of  the  Union  is  authorized  to 
issue  a  ( reneral  Law  by  which  the  concession,  establishment,  and  opera- 
tions of  hanks  of  issue  in  the  State- of  the  Republic  are  to  be  gov- 
erned, subject  to  the  following  provisions: 

1.  No  concession  shall  be  granted  without  the  deposit  by  the  con- 
cessionaries <>f  bonds  of  the  national  public  debt,  whose  nominal  par 
value  shall  he  at  lea-t  equal  to  20  per  cent  of  the  sum  which  the  hank 
i-  to  have  in  cash  in  order  to  begin  operation-. 

2.  The  minimum  capital  subscribed  shall  be  $500,000,  of  which  :it 
least  half  shall  be  paid  in  cash  before  the  hank  begins  operation-. 

3.  The  ca-h  balance  in  cadi  hank  -hall  never  be  reduced  to  less  than 
half  the  amount  of  its  circulation  notes  and  the  amount  of  deposits 
payable  on  demand,  or  at  three  day.-'  sight  or  less. 

•L  No  hank  shall  he  authorized  to  issue  circulation  note-  for  a  sum 
greater  than  three  time-  the  amount  of  its  paid-up  capital. 

.">.  The  hank  notes  may  be  accepted  as  currency  and  shall  not  be  of 
a  lower  denomination  than  *.">. 

i'».  Exemptions  or  rebates  from  taxes  shall  only  he  allowed  to  the 
hank  first  established  in  any  of  the  State-  or  Federal  Territories  of 
the  Republic.  All  other  banks  shall  pay  the  taxes  imposed  by  the 
general  laws.  and.  furthermore,  a  special  tax  to  the  Federation  of  2 
percent  per  annum  upon  the  amount  of  their  paid-up  capital.  For 
the  purposes  of  this  section,  first  hanks  -hall  he  considered  such  as  are 
now  established,  provided  they  subject  themselves  to  the  provisions 
of  the  general  law. 


BANKING    LAW.  319 

7.  Banks  established  in  a  State  shall  not  have  beyond  the  same 
branch  offices  for  the  conversion  of  their  notes,  save  by  special  per- 
mission from  the  Executive,  who  will  grant  the  same  only  when  close 
business  interests  bind  several  States,  but  never  for  the  establishment 
of  said  branch  offices  in  the  City  of  Mexico  or  in  the  Federal  District. 

8.  The  Federal  Executive  shall  have  at  the  banks  an  interventor, 
whose  duties  shall  be  specified  and  who,  at  the  revision  of  the  annual 
balances,  shall  have  the  same  authority  granted  b}r  law  to  the  commis- 
saries of  corporations. 

9.  Banks  shall  publish  a  monthly  balance  sheet,  which  shall  show, 
besides  the  balances  of  accounts  required  by  law,  the  cash  on  hand, 
amount  of  bank  notes  in  circulation,  and  amount  of  deposits  payable 
on  demand  or  at  three  days'  sight  or  less. 

10.  No  concessions  shall  be  granted  by  the  Executive  of  the  Union 
until  after  the  promulgation  of  the  general  banking  law  and  in  con- 
formity with  its  provisions. 

The  Executive  is  likewise  authorized: 

1.  To  enter  into  agreements  with  the  National  Bank  of  Mexico, 
pursuant  to  which,  and  through  such  compensation  as  may  be  deemed 
equitable,  all  variances  between  the  concession  of  said  bank  and  the 
promulgation  of  the  general  law  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  article 
shall  be  removed. 

2.  To  enter  into  agreements  with  banks  already  existing  pursuant 
to  special  concessions,  provided  that  State  banks,  in  order  to  enjoy  the 
benefits  of  the  general  law,  shall  relinquish  the  concessions  under  which 
they  were  established. 

3.  The  authority  granted  the  Executive  by  the  present  article  to 
enter  into  agreements  with  the  State  banks  shall  cease  six  months  after 
the  publication  of  the  general  law,  and  that  granted  for  other  pur- 
poses shall  terminate  on  the  15th  of  next  September. 

The  regulations  which  are  to  govern  all  other  institutions  of  credit 
may  be  the  subject  of  the  said  law  or  of  other  special  laws  that  the 
Executive  may  issue  as  he  may  deem  best. 

4.  The  Executive  will  report  to  Congress,  with  respect  to  his  action 
under  the  authority  conferred  upon  him  by  this  law,  at  the  session 
next  following  the  publication  of  the  decree  or  decrees  in  the  premises. 

Pursuant  to  the  authorit}^  in  him  vested  by  this  law,  the  President 
on  March  19,  1897,  promulgated  the  "  General  Law  relating  to  institu- 
tions of  credit."     The  main  features  of  this  law  are  as  follows: 

For  the  purposes  of  the  law  the  following  onl}T  are  considered  as 
institutions  of  credit:  Banks  of  issue,  mortgage  banks,  and  loan 
(refaccionar ios)  banks. 

Banks  of  issue  are  such  as  issue  notes  of  a  given  value,  payable  at 
par,  at  sight,  and  to  bearer. 


320  MEXICO. 

Mortgage  banks  are  such  as  make  loan-  secured  by  mortgage  on 
urban  or  suburban  real  estate,  and  issue  bonds  secured  in  Like  manner, 
bearing  interest  :m<l  payable  under  given  circumstances  at  fixed  date-. 

Loan  banks  (Bancos  Refaccionarios)  are  Buch  establishments  as  are 
intended  to  facilitate  mining,  agricultural,  and  industrial  operations 
by  means  of  privileged  advances,  unsecured,  assuming  liability  for 
determinate  operations,  and  issuing  bonds  promptly  maturing,  bearing 
interest,  and  payable  on  a  day  certain. 

Credit  institutions  can  only  be  established  under  a  special  concession 
granted  by  the  Executive  in  conformity  with  the  requirements  and 
conditions  of  this  law  and  the  act  of  June  3,  1896. 

Concessions  for  the  establishment  of  institutions  of  credit  may  tic 
granted  to  private  individuals  or  corporations,  hut  business  operations 
under  such  concessions  can  only  be  conducted  by  corporations  duly 
constituted  in  the  Republic. 

Concessions  to  private  parties  shall  be  granted  to  three  persons  at 
least,  who  must  prove,  within  the  succeeding  three  month-,  the  incor- 
poration of  the  association  which  is  to  operate  under  the  concession 
and  the  assignment  of  the  latter  thereto. 

Corporations  of  this  kind  are  governed  by  the  commercial  code 
whereinsoever  it  does  not  conflict  with  the  following  provisions: 

1.  The  number  of  corporators  shall  be  seven,  at  least. 

2.  The  corporate  capital  shall  never  be  less  than  500,000  pesos  in 
the  case  of  banks  of  issue  and  mortgage  banks,  nor  less  than  200,000 
in  the  case  of  loan  banks. 

3.  Express  authority  of  the  Department  of  the  Treasury  is  necessary 
to  increase  or  reduce  the  corporate  capital. 

1.  No  incorporation  may  be  effected  unless  the  corporate  capital  is 
fully  subscribed  and  the  50  percent  thereof  payable  in  cash  paid  in. 

5.  The  domicile  of  the  corporation  shall  be  the  place  in  the  Republic 
where  the  principal  office  is  located. 

6.  Certificates  of  shares  may  lie  in  the  name-  of  individuals  until 
their  value  shall  be  fully  paid  in. 

7.  The  reserve  fund  shall  consist  of  10  per  cent  of  the  net  annual 
profits  until  it  shall  equal  a  third  part  or  more  of  the  aggregate  cor- 
porate capital. 

In  no  case  shall  the  duration  of  the  concessions  exceed  thirty  years, 
reckoned  from  the  date  of  this  law.  for  banks  of  issue,  and  fifty  years 
for  mortgage  and  loan  banks.  Foreign  banking  institutions  issuing 
note-  payable  to  bearer  can  not  maintain  branches  or  agencies  in  the 
Republic  for  the  issue  and  payment  of  the  same. 

The  articles  of  incorporation  and  by-laws  of  all  corporations  referred 
to  in  this  law  shall  be  .submitted  for  approval  to  the  Department  of 
the  Treasury  before  the  bank  opens  for  business. 


BANKING    LAW.  321 

Banks  of  issue  ma}-  be  established  and  operate  in  the  States  and 
Territories  subject  only  to  the  provisions  of  this  law.  Such  banks  in 
the  Federal  District  will  continue  to  be  governed  by  existing-  contracts 
and  provisions. 

Bank  notes  of  the  denominations  of  5,  10,  20,  50,  100,  500,  and  1,000 
pesos  only  shall  be  placed  in  circulation. 

The  notes  must  express  in  Spanish  the  obligation  to  pay  in  cash  at 
par,  at  sight,  and  to  bearer  the  face  value  thereof.  The  date  of  issue, 
series,  and  number  of  the  note,  as  well  as  the  signatures  of  the  Gov- 
ernment interventor,  one  of  the  directors,  and  of  the  manager  or 
cashier  of  the  same,  must  also  appear. 

Bank  notes  bear  no  interest  and  are  imprescriptible  during  the  life 
of  the  institution.  The  obligation  to  pay  shall  lapse  by  limitation 
five  years  after  the  bank  is  declared  in  bankruptcy  or  it  shall  go  into 
liquidation. 

Banks  of  issue  are  prohibited  from — 

1.  Making  loans  or  discounting  or  negotiating  securities  when  the 
date  of  maturity  exceeds  six  months. 

2.  Discounting  promissory  notes  or  other  commercial  paper  without 
two  responsible  indorsements  at  least,  or  without  collateral  security. 

.5.  Making  loans  secured  by  mortgage,  save  in  the  cases  mentioned 
below. 

4.  Pledging  or  depositing  their  notes  and  contracting  any  obligations 
thereby. 

5.  Mortgaging  their  property  or  pledging  their  discounted  paper. 
Banks  of  issue  may  only  accept  security  by  way  of  mortgage  when 

the  credit  of  any  of  the  responsible  indorsers  of  discounted  paper  shall 
have  suffered  loss,  and  when  the  Department  of  the  Treasury  shall 
expressly  authorize  the  same. 

No  individual  or  corporation  not  authorized  thereunto  by  the  pro- 
visions of  this  law  may  issue  any  promissory  note  or  paper  containing 
a  promise  to  pay  in  cash,  to  bearer,  at  sight. 

Mortgage  banks  may  make  loans  secured  by  mortgage  as  follows: 

1.  Short-time  loans  bearing  simple  interest,  payable  on  a  day  certain. 

2.  Long-time  loans,  reimbursable  in  annual  payments  to  include 
interest,  reduction  on  principal,  and  remuneration  to  the  bank. 

Short-time  loans  are  such  as  are  payable  in  one  or  more  installments, 
but  always  in  less  than  ten  j7ears. 

With  respect  to  loans  reimbursable  in  annual  payments,  the  number 
of  such  payments  shall  not  be  less  than  ten  nor  more  than  forty,  should, 
the  same  be  made  in  quarterly,  semiannual,  or  annual  installments. 

The  bank's  mortgage  should  always  have  priority,  either  because 
the  real  estate  has  no  other  mortgage  attaching  to  it,  or  because,  if 
previously  mortgaged,  preference  be  given  the  new  loan  through  subro- 
509a— 04 21 


322  mlexico. 

gation  or  pursuanl  to  the  express  consent  of  the  preferred  creditors, 
hi'  through  any  other  means  authorized  by  law. 

Mortgage  loans  shall  never  exceed  one-half  the  value  of  the  property 
mortgaged,  to  be  appraised  by  experts  named  by  the  bank,  unless  an 
appraisement  for  taxation,  made  in  due  form  of  law  exists,  in  which 
case  the  Departmentof  the  Treasury  may  authorize  banks  toad  upon 
such  appraised  valuation. 

Only  such  urban  or  suburban  real  estate  as  is  situated  within  the 
States.  Federal  District,  or  Territories  where  the  principal  office  or 
branch  offices  of  the  bank  are  located  shall  be  the  subject  of  mortgages. 

Property  held  under  certain  titles  may  not  be  mortgaged  to  secure 
loans. 

Banks  can  not  make  secured  loans  on  mines,  forests,  temples,  nor 
real  estate  specially  devoted  to  some  public  service  of  the  Federation, 
States,  or  municipalities. 

The  aggregate  amount  of  sums  loaned  and  secured  by  mortgage 
shall  at  no  time  exceed  twenty  times  the  paid-up  capital  of  the  loaning 
hank,  nor  shall  the  sums  loaned  any  individual  or  association  exceed 
the  one-fifth  pari  of  such  capital. 

Moneys  due  by  debtors  in  payment  of  installments  on  the  principal, 
or  for  interest,  can  not  he  withheld  or  in  any  way  restrained  by  law  or 
otherwise. 

The  nominal  value  of  the  mortgage  bonds  these  hanks  are  authorized 
to  issue  shall  never  exceed  the  aggregate  amount  c\'  secured  loans. 

These  bonds  shall  bear  such  interest  as  the  hoard  of  directors  of  the 
banks  may  determine. 

The  bonds  shall  be  of  the  denominations  of  LOO,  500,  and  L,000  pesos, 
respectively,  and  assignable  by  simple  transfer  if  payable  to  bearer,  or 
by  indorsement  if  payable  to  order. 

Mortgage  bonds  may  he  issued  either  without  date  of  maturity  or 
payable  on  a  day  certain.  The  former  shall  he  taken  up  through 
drawings. 

There  shall  be  two  drawings  at  least  in  every  year,  and  at  each  draw- 
ing there  shall  be  taken  up  the  number  of  bonds  that  may  be  neces- 
sary in  order  that  the  nominal  value  of  those  still  in  circulation  shall  in 
no  case  exceed  the  aggregate  amount  of  the  secured  loans  of  the  hank. 

Within  eight  days  after  the  drawings  the  numbers  of  the  bonds 
drawn  shall  be  published,  as  also  the  date  upon  which  they  should  be 
presented  for  payment.  These  bonds  shall  cease  to  bear  interest  from 
the  date  designated  for  their  payment. 

The  banks  may  provide  for  extra  drawings  should  they  see  fit. 
Bonds  so  paid  shall  be  canceled  and  destroyed. 

Mortgage  banks  shall  keep  on  hand  at  all  times  a  special  guaranty 
fund  in  cash,  which  shall  always  be  greater  than  the  semiannual  inter- 
est on  the  bonds  in  circulation, 


BANKING    LAW.  323 

Besides  making  loans  secured  by  mortgage  and  issuing  bonds,  mort- 
gage banks  are  authorized  to  engage  in  the  operations  following: 

1.  To  invest  in  their  own  bonds  and  in  other  first-class  securities. 

2.  To  make  loans  for  not  more  than  six  months,  secured  by  such 
securities  as  collateral. 

3.  To  receive  deposits,  paying,  or  not,  interest  thereon. 

-1.  To  draw,  buy,  sell,  and  discount  bills  of  exchange,  drafts,  orders, 
or  checks,  payable  in  the  Republic  or  abroad  at  a  date  not  to  exceed 
six  months. 

5.  To  sell,  buy,  or  collect  on  commission,  directly  or  through  agents, 
all  kinds  of  securities. 

6.  To  loan,  with  proper  security,  the  mortgage  bonds  deposited  as 
security. 

7.  To  make  loans  or  advances  for  public  works  or  improvements, 
entering  into  the  necessary  contracts  for  the  purpose  with  the  Federal, 
State,  and  municipal  governments. 

Mining  stock  certificates  are  expressly  excluded  from  the  securities 
in  which  the  banks  are  allowed  to  invest. 

Banks  may  receive  deposits  only  to  an  amount  not  greater  than  five 
times  the  paid-up  capital;  and  they  are  bound  to  keep  on  hand  at  all 
times  in  cash,  gold  or  silver  bullion,  or  immediately  convertible 
securities,  an  amount  equal  to  two-thirds,  or  more,  of  the  aggregate 
deposits. 

Loans  made  to  the  Federal,  State,  and  municipal  governments  must 
be  secured  by  mortgage  on  real  estate,  lien  on  taxes  specially  levied, 
or  by  the  securities  issued  to  raise  the  funds  necessary  to  execute  the 
public  works  referred  to. 

Mortgage  banks  are  prohibited  from  issuing  bank  notes,  or  any 
other  security  payable  on  demand  to  bearer. 

The  concluding  sections  treat  of  the  legal  steps  to  be  taken  to  fore- 
close mortgages,  and  exempt  banks  of  this  kind  from  furnishing  the 
bonds  required  in  legal  proceedings. 

Loan  banks  are  authorized  to  engage  in  the  operations  following: 

1.  To  make  cash  loans,  payable  within  two  years,  to  mining,  indus- 
trial, and  agricultural  enterprises. 

2.  To  pledge  their  responsibility  in  order  to  facilitate  the  discount- 
ing or  negotiating  of  promissory  notes  or  obligations  maturing  not 
later  than  six  months  after  date. 

3.  To  issue  bonds  payable  in  coin,  bearing  interest  and  maturing  in 
not  less  than  three  months  nor  more  than  two  years  after  date. 

The  law  gives  banks  of  this  kind  a  first  lien  on  all  mines,  products, 
crops,  live  stock,  machinery,  tools, agricultural  implements,  etc..  which 
may  be  pledged  to  the  payment  of  a  loan. 

The  value  of  the  coin  bonds  issued  by  loan  banks  shall  never  exceed 


l\  2  4  MKXK'ii. 

tlif  amount  on  hand  in  cash  or  in  bars  of  the  precious  metal,  plus  the 
value  of  immediately  convertible  securities  held  as  bills  collectible. 
These  banks  are  prohibited: 

1.  From  issuing  bank  notes. 

2.  From  engaging  in  mortgage  operations  and  from  issuing  mort- 
gage bonds. 

3.  From  working  on  their  own  account  mines,  reduction  works. 
industrial  establishments,  or  agricultural  estates,  and  from  entering 
into  any  open  association,  or  as  silent  partners,  with  parties  represent- 
ing such  enterprises. 

Banking  institutions  are  prohibited  from  acquiring  real  estate  under 
any  title  whatsoever,  other  than  that  necessary  for  the  establishment 
of  their  offices  and  dependencies,  and  such  as  may  be  adjudicated  to  or 
received  by  them  in  the  collection  of  their  debts  or  in  the  exercise  of 
thf  lights  incident  to  the  operations  in  which  they  engage.  The  real 
estate  adjudicated  and  received  as  above  must  be  conveyed  away  within 
three  years,  in  the  case  of  mortgage  banks,  and  within  two  year-  in 
the  case  of  loan  and  issue  banks.  At  the  expiration  of  such  terms 
without  any  conveyance,  the  Department  of  the  Treasury  shall  order 
a  public  sale  of  the  real  estate. 

Banking  institutions  shall  not  buy  their  own  stock  nor  engage  in 
any  operation  requiring  it  for  security. 

The  consolidation  of  two  or  more  banks  can  not  be  effected  without 
the  previous  approval  of  the  Department  of  the  Treasury. 

Banking  institutions  must  publish  a  monthly  balance  sheet  showing 
at  least  the  information  following: 

Under  asset-: 

1.  Uncalled  capital. 

2.  Cash  on  hand. 

3.  Notes  discounted. 

4.  Loans  on  collateral. 

5.  Loans  on  mortgage. 

6.  Investments  in  public  securities  and  immediately  convertible 
paper. 

7.  Accounts  current,  debtor. 

8.  Real  estate  belonging  to  the  bank. 
Under  liabilities: 

1.  Capital. 

2.  Circulation. 

3.  Deposits. 

4.  Accounts  current,  creditor. 

5.  Reserve  and  emergency  funds. 

The  Department  of  the  Treasury  shall  publish  a  yearly  statement 
of  the  condition  of  the  banking  institution-  of  the  Republic. 
The  last  chapter  of  the  law  treats  of  franchises  and  taxes.     It  pro- 


USE    OF    WOED    ''BANK."  s  325 

vides  that  the  capital  of  banking  institutions,  the  shares  representing 
the  same,  dividends  paid  to  shareholders,  and  the  several  kinds  of 
securities  issued  by  them  shall  be  exempt  from  eveiy  manner  of  taxa- 
tion, Federal,  State,  and  municipal,  save  the  real  estate  tax  on  the 
buildings  occupied  by  them  for  office  purposes  and  the  stamp  tax. 
There  are,  however,  numerous  exemptions  from  this  latter  burden. 

Since  the  publication  of  the  foregoing  law  the  Treasury  Department 
has  entered  into  a  contract  with  each  of  the  State  banks  formerly 
established,  in  which  the  banks  waive  the  rights  acquired  under  their 
original  concessions  and  subject  themselves  to  the  requirements  of  the 
new  law,  thereby  enjoying  the  privileges  accorded  to  the  first  bank 
instituted  in  each  State.  Each  of  the  banks  has  five  years  within 
which  to  call  in  its  notes  of  a  denomination  less  than  5  pesos. 

Use  of  the  word  "lank." — On  May  28,  1903,  a  Presidential  decree 
was  promulgated  bearing  on  this  subject,  as  follows: 

"Article  1.  Only  corporations  legally  constituted  for  the  opera- 
tion of  institutions  of  credit;  by  virtue  of  concessions  granted  by  the 
Government,  can  use  the  name  of  'bank'  or  its  equivalent  in  any 
foreign  tongue  as  part  of  their  corporate  titles  or  establishments. 

"Art.  2.  The  charter  of  any  company,  of  which  the  word  '  bank'  or 
its  translation  into  any  foreign  tongue  forms  part,  can  not  be  recorded 
in  the  commercial  registry  unless  the  articles  of  incorporation  contain 
official  documents  proving  the  existence  of  a  concession  granted  to 
said  company  by  the  Department  of  Finance  and  Public  Credit,  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  general  law  on  institutions  of 
credit. 

"Art.  3.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  article  1  of  this  act, 
native  or  foreign  corporations  at  present  existing  in  the  Republic  and 
embodying  in  their  corporate  name  the  word  'bank,'  or  its  translation 
into  any  foreign  tongue,  may  continue  to  use  the  same  name  as  hith- 
erto, by  adding  the  words  '  without  concession '  every  time  they  use 
their  commercial  title. 

"Art.  4.  Foreign  corporations  having,  or  that  may  establish 
agencies  or  branch  houses  in  the  Republic  in  accordance  with  Mexican 
laws,  shall  be  entitled  to  make  use  of  the  word  'bank/ 

"In  order  to  enjoy  this  right,  such  foreign  companies  must  previ- 
ously obtain  a  special  permission  from  the  Department  of  Finance  and 
Public  Credit.  This  permission  will  only  be  granted  under  such  con- 
ditions as  the  Department  may  deem  expedient,  and  when  in  its  opin- 
ion it  is  proved  that  the  parent  house  does  a  banking  business  in  the 
country  where  it  was  founded,  and  no  valid  reasons  exist  for  fearing 
that  an  improper  use  will  be  made  of  the  franchise. 

"Art.  5.  Within  a  }7ear  from  the  date  of  the  present  law,  native  or 
foreign  corporations  in  the  Republic  using  in  their  corporate  name 
the  word  '  bank,'  or  its  translation  into  an}^  foreign  tongue,  must 


326  «  Mexico. 

either  change  said  name  by  the  suppression  of  such  word,  or  make  use 
of  the  right  granted  by  articles  ">  and  I  of  this  law. 

■*Akt.  »'>.  Any  action  growing  out  of  (In1  violation  of  the  provisions 
of  this  law,  either  by  the  improper  use  of  the  word  'bank,' or  by 
failure  to  add  the  words  'without  concession,'  when  they  are  required 
to  l»'  used,  shall  be  brought  ex  officio  by  the  prosecutor  before  the 
Federal  courts,  and  shall  l>c  punished  by  a  fine  of  the  second  class, 
[f  the  offender  is  a  company,  Its  managers  or  administrators  shall  pay 
the  penalty." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

MEANS  OF  COMMUNICATION— RAILROADS  AND  RAILROAD 
LAW— TELEGRAPH  AND  TELEPHONE  LINES— POSTAL  SERV- 
ICE—STEAMSHIP LINES. 

Notwithstanding-  earnest  endeavors  to  foster  railroad  construction 
in  Mexico,  for  many  years  the  topographical  conditions  of  the  country 
rendered  such  enterprises  both  difficult  and  expensive.  Means  of 
communication  were  limited  to  a  few  wagon  roads,  over  which  twenty - 
four  regular  lines  of  diligences  were  operated  under  one  management, 
supplemented  by  a  few  bridle  paths,  leading  from  the  Central  Plateau 
over  the  Sierras  to  points  on  the  Pacific  and  Gulf  coasts. 

RAILWAYS. 

In  1854  the  first  section  (about  1  kilometers  in  length)  of  what  after- 
wards became  the  Mexican  Railway  was  finished,  connecting  the  City 
of  Mexico  with  Guadalupe,  and,  with  another  line  about  19  kilometers 
long,  between  Veracruz  and  Tejeria,  constituted  the  railways  of  the 
Republic  until  1861.  The  French  army,  during  the  war  of  interven- 
tion in  1862,  carried  the  Tejeria  section  as  far  as  Paso  del  Macho,  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountains,  a  distance  of  about  56  kilometers.  About 
the  same  time  an  English  syndicate,  which  had  a  concession  from  the 
Government  to  build  a  road  from  the  capital  to  Veracruz,  extended 
the  Guadalupe  road  to  Puebla,  the  entire  line  to  Veracruz  being  com- 
pleted in  1873.  It  is  from  this  period  that  the  era  of  railroad  develop- 
ment in  Mexico  dates,  new  impetus  being  given  to  this  branch  of 
public  service  by  the  installation  of  General  Diaz  as  President,  in 
1876.  From  1877  to  1882  Mexico  built  more  miles  of  railroad  than 
any  other  Latin-American  country,  the  average  yearly  construction 
during  that  period  being  680  kilometers/' 

In  his  message  to  Congress,  April  1,  1897,  President  Diaz,  in  refer- 
ring to  the  extent  of  railway  development  in  the  Republic,  stated  that 
in  1875  there  were  578  kilometers  285  meters  of  road;  in  1886,  5,915; 
in  November,  1888,  7,910;  in  June,  1892,  10,233,  or,  including  the 
tramways  and  other  local  private  lines,  11,067  kilometers;  in  Septem- 

«Informe  del  C.  General  Porfirio  Diaz,  Presidente  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexica- 
nos,  &  sus  compatriotas,  1896. 

327 


328 


MEXICO. 


ber,  1S94,  11,100,  and  in  April,  1897,  the  total  extent  amounted  to 
11,469  kilometers.  The  same  document  also  gives  the  following 
figures  in  regard  to  traffic: 


Number  of  passengers  . 
Freight  handled  i  t<>ns> 
i [rose  receipts 


1876. 


4,281,327 

132,915 

12,564,870 


1890. 


2,734,  130 

8-21,019,960 


22,781,848 

3,798,860 

126,121,624 


1895. 


24,269,895 
128,758,  150 


It  is  also  stated  that  the  subsidies  paid  for  railroads  up  to  December, 
1892,  averaged  $8,935  per  kilometer  built  and  in  operation  at  thai  date, 

and  up  to  June  30,  1896,  the  total  amount  paid  in  subsidies  reached 
$107,74:3,660.25,  distributed  as  follows: 

Paid  in  cash... $46,896,«.«U.  95 

Certificates  of  construction  (convertible  into  5  per  cent  bonds) 21,  711,513.92 

Paid  in  bonds 31,  127,000.00 

Balance,  payable  either  in  cash  or  bonds 8, 008, 244. 38 

Taking  into  consideration  that  in  the  $31,127,000  paid  in  bonds, 
$13,500,000  are  included,  which  were  paid  in  gold  to  the  contractors  of 
the  Tehuantepec  Railway  at  100  per  cent  premium,  such  sum  mu>t  be 
regarded  as  $27,000,000  silver,  thus  increasing  the  former  total  to 
$121,343,660.35  silver." 

In  his  message  to  Congress,  September  16,  1903,  the  same  authority 
makes  the  following  statement: 

"The  increase  of  the  railway  system  from  the  1st  of  January,  1903, 
to  the  date  of  the  message  has  been  432  kilometers,  of  which  180  kilo- 
meters have  to  be  credited  to  the  National  Railway  of  Mexico  on  its 
new  line  between  Huehuetoca  and  Gonzalez  Junction;  70tothe  Kansas 
City,  Mexico  and  Orient  line;  78  to  the  Central,  on  its  Panuco  and  San 
Pedro  to  Paredon  divisions;  14  to  the  Interoceanic,  which  has  com- 
pleted its  line  from  Cuautla  to  Chietla,  and  the  remainder  to  the  other 
lines.  The  railways  of  the  Republic  now  aggregate  15,918  kilometers, 
and  if  railways  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  States  and  private 
branches  be  added,  the  total  is  18,197  kilometers.  I  may  add  that  the 
National  Railway  of  Mexico  only  lacks  92  kilometers  to  complete  the 
standardizing  of  its  gauge  between  the  capital  city  and  Laredo.'"1 

Most  of  the  railways  built  in  Mexico  have  obtained  large  subsidies 
from  the  Government,  ranging  from  §6,000  to  $10,000  per  kilometer, 
according  to  the  difficulties  of  the  work,  these  subsidies  having  con 
tributed  very  largely  to  the  prosperous  condition  of  the  roads.  a>  tin- 
proceeds  have  been  used  not  only  to  build  the  line,  but  in  some  cases 
to  pay  the  interest  on  bonds. 

At  present  the  railroad  system  of  the  Republic  connects  the  capital 
with  the  principal  centers  of  population,  commerce,  and  production; 

«  "  Los  Estados  Unidoe  Mexicanos,  bus  projiresos  en  veinte  anofi  de  paz,  1877-1897." 
Kafael  de  Zayas  Enriquez,  New  York,  p.  L95. 


RAILROADS.  329 

also  with  some  of  the  more  important  seaports  of  the  Republic  and 
with  the  United  States.  The  Tehuantepec  road,  formerly  owned  and 
operated  by  the  Government,  is  the  only  line  connecting  the  Pacific 
and  Gulf  coasts.  Lines  traversing  the  central  plateau  as  far  as  the 
United  States  frontier  connect  the  City  of  Mexico  with  the  capitals  of 
Queretaro,  Guanajuato,  Jalisco,  Aguascalientes,  Zacatecas,  Chihuahua, 
and  San  Luis  Potosi,  over  the  Central  Railroad,  while  the  International 
road  connects  it  with  Dnrango;  the  National  line  with  Mexico  (Toluca), 
Guanajuato,  Michoacan,  San  Luis  Potosi,  Coahuila,  and  Nuevo  Leon; 
the  Mexican  International  with  Puebla  and  Veracruz  (via  Orizaba  and 
Jalapa),  and  the  Southern  Mexican  with  Puebla,  Tlaxcala,  and  Oaxaca. 
The  port  of  Manzanillo  is  connected  with  the  capital  of  Colima;  the 
port  of  Matamoros  with  Reynosa  and  San  Miguel,  in  Tamaulipas; 
Tampico  with  San  Luis  Potosi  and  Monterey,  and  the  Tehuantepec 
line  connects  Coatzacoalcos  on  the  Gulf  with  Salina  Cruz  on  the  Pacific. 
The  International  in  its  southern  extension  passes  near  Cuernavaca 
(Morelos),  and  the  Cuernavaca  and  Pacific  road  runstolguala  (Guerrero) 
and  will  soon  connect  with  Acapulco  on  the  Pacific.  Merida  on  the 
Yucatan  Peninsula  is  connected  by  rail  with  Progreso  and  Campeche. 

The  slopes  on  the  Pacific  side  of  the  great  central  table-land  present 
much  greater  engineering  difficulties  than  those  on  the  east  or  Gulf 
side,  hence  the  slow  development  of  means  of  communication  in  the 
former  section. 

According  to  the  latest  available  statistics  from  Mexico,  the  number 
of  kilometers  of  railroad  on  Decmber  31,  1902,  was  as  follows: 

Meters. 

Railroads  under  Federal  grants 15, 137,  505 

Tramways 502,  332 

Suburban  lines  under  State  grants 1,  498,  054 

Portable  railways,  Decauville  system ,     2,  299, 329 

Total 19,437,220 

The  following  table  shows  the  name  of  the  railroads,  date  of  con- 
cession, and  the  total  earnings  for  all  the  roads  operating  under  Fed- 
eral grants  on  December  31,  1902,  the  latest  available  Mexican  official 
data:« 


Name  of  railroad. 


Ferrocarril  Mexieano 

Ferroea rri  1  del  I )ist ri to  Federal 

Ferrocarril  Naeional  de  Mexico 

Ferrocarril  de  Souora 

Ferrocarril  Interoceanico 

Ferrocarril  Central  Mexieano. 

Ferrocarril  de  Cuernavaca  y  Pacifico  i> 

Ferrocarril  de  Tehuacana  Esperanza 

Ferrocarril  Occidental  de  Mexico  (Sinaloa  and  Durango). 

Ferrocarril  de  Tlalmanalco  k  Chalco  c 

Ferrocarril  Internaeional  Mexieano 


Date  of 
concession. 


Nov, 
Dec. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Apr. 
Sept. 
Dec. 
Nov. 
Aug. 
Feb. 
June 


27, 1867 
25,1877 
13, 1880 
14,1880 
16, 1878 

S,  |, SSI) 

31,1896 
28, 1883 

16, 1880 
3, 1881 
7. 1881 


aAnuario  Estadistico,  1902. 

bData  included  in  figures  representing  earnings  of  the  Central  Mexieano. 

cNow  called  "  Xico  a  San  Rafael."     (See  table.) 


Total  earn- 
ings. 1902. 

$5,100,828.10 
2,251,479.74 
8,818,778.23 
1,216,124.27 
t,  625, 248. 32 

21,132,226.98 


85, 676. 58 
69,583.95 


6,497,491. 


380 


MEXICO. 


Name  ■•!'  railroad. 


Date  "i" 
concession. 


Total  earn 


Ferrocarril  de  Santa  Ana  a,  Tlaxcal  

Ferrocarril  de  Toluca  6  s.  Juan  de  las  Huertaa 

Ferrocarril  de  Vanegas,  Cedral,  Matehuala  >  Rio  Verdea 

ocarril  Mineral  de  Chihuahua 

Ferrocarril  Mexicano  del  8ur 

Ferrocai  ril  de  Monterej  al  Golfo« 

Ferrocai  ril  de<  lordoba  a  Tuxtepec* 

Ferrocarril  de  Mich ;in  al  Pacifico" 

Ferrocarril  de  Monte  Alto 

icarril  Industrial  de  Puebla 

i    ■  i.  mm  nil  Mexicano  del  Norte 

Ferrocarril  de  Campeche  a  Lerma 

i  lompania  Constructora  Nacional  Mexicana 

Ferrocarril  de  Toluca  6  Tenango 

Ferrocarril  de  Rio  <  Irande,  sierra  Madre  y  Pacifico 

ocarril  de  Lerdo  6  Torreon 

Ferrocarril  de  Torres  :i  Minas  Prietaa 

Ferrocarril  de  Esperanza  &Xuchil 

Ferrocarril  de  Xicoa  Ban  Rafael 

Ferrocarril  de  Jalapa  6  T lo  .t 

Ferrocarril  de  Veracruz  al  Pacifico 

Ferrocarril  de  Cazadero  a- Solis 

Ferrocarril  <le  Coahuila  y  Pacifico 

Kerrocarril  de  TenangO  a  Santa  Maria 

Ferrocarril  de  Chihuahua  al  Pacifico 

Ferrocarril  de  TlaCOtepeC  a  Iluajuapan  <le  Leon 

Kerrocarril  de  Ban  Juan  Bautista  a  Tierra  Colorada  6  Rio  Gonzales 

Kerrocarril  de  Guanajuato  6  Dolores  Bidalgoa 

Ferrocarri]  de  Parral  y  Durango 

Kerrocarril  oriental  Mexicano 

Kerrocarril  de  Nacozari 

Ferrocarril  de  ( laxaca  a  Ejutla 

Ferrocarril  de  Nacofi  Cananea 

Farrocarril  de  Marfil  :i  8an(  Iregorio 

Farrocarril  de  <  irizaba  al  Ingemo 

Kerrocarril  ilc  Merida  a  I'eto 

Ferrocarril  de  Veracruzd  Alvarado 

Ferrocarril  de  Merida  6  Progreso  

Kerrocarril  de  Coahuila  6  Zacatecas  

Ferrocarril  de  Jalapa  6  Coatepec  y  Las  Fuentes  

Kerrocarril  de  TultenangO  a  la  Trinidad 

Kerrocarril  de  Hidalgo 

Kerrocarril  de  Ml  rida  a  Campeche 

Kerrocarril  de  Merida  a  Valladolid 

Kerrocarril  de 8an  Andres  Chalchicomula 

Kerrocarril  de  San  Marcos  a  Tecolutla" 

I',  i  rocanil  de  San  Juan  Bautista  ft  Paso  del  Carrizal  

Ferrocarril  de  Cardenas  <i  Rio  Qrijalva 

Ferrocarril  de  Merida  .i  [zamal  

Ferrocarril  de  Salamanca  y  Jaral 


Dec.  n. 
May   25, 

.inn.-  p. 
Dec.  •-'. 
Apr.  21, 
Nov.  10, 
Ma)  19, 
Aug.  16, 
Aug.  80, 
Aug.  x. 
Apr.  15, 
Feb.  23, 

Sept.  13, 
Dec.  31, 
Mar.  24, 
lulv  I. 
June  Id, 

Dec.  '.'. 

Mar.  23, 

Dec.  6, 

Mar.  15, 

Dec.  13, 

Jan.  17, 

Aug.  28, 

May  11, 

Apr.  20, 

Dec.  it. 

June     5, 

June '-".'. 

Jan.    11. 

Aug.  30, 
Apr.  16, 
Oct.     8, 

Sept.  22, 
Mar.  27, 
Mar.  26, 
Jan.  17. 
June  'J. 
June  8, 
June  19, 
Feb.  -J. 
Feb.  23, 
Dec   16, 

Sept.   20, 

June  25, 
Sept.   17. 

May   12, 

May  1".. 
Aug.  80, 


1SS2 
1883 
1883 

1886 
1887 

1888 

|vss 

1890 
1—7 
1880 
1891 
1896 
1898 
L897 
1 B92 
1898 
I B96 

1 898 
1*93 

1 899 
1900 
1891 
1891 
1895 
1893 
1 898 
1902 

1  S99 

1 898 
1900 
1898 
1881 
1878 
1878 

rvi 

1-7:: 

1 B97 
is;- 
1887 
L880 
1881 
1881 
1881 
1 883 
1884 

1S.VS 


34,890.87 

63,  176. 61 
882,064.59 


53,61  1.39 
61,671.88 
132,993.  11 
i,.v  I  07 
111,  174.92 
104,316.94 
286,826.  13 
168,947.21 
65,846  69 
256,  72V.  63 
166,  134.64 

241,668.91 
7,045.00 

257,948.  19 
::.  171.00 

344,764.25 

12,804.32 

'279,  i88.*98 
112,248.86 
122,741.44 
43.  7  I."..  72 
152,949.73 
11,268.01 


15,236.27 
25,98a  10 


"  Data  included  1  .  presenting  earnings  Of  the  Kerrocarril  Nacional. 

'■Now  called  ■  Veracruz,  al  Pacifico."    (See  table.) 
c  Data  included  in  the  figures  for  the  "  Interoceanico." 

Besides  tJie  railroads  already  mentioned  as  belonging  to  the  Mexican 
Central,  the  following  lines  should  be  added:  Pachuca  ;i  Tampico,  Fe- 
rrocarril deCuernavaca  y  Pacifico,  Tula  a  Pachuca.  Lerdo  d  San  Pedro 
de  las  Colonias,  Ferrocarriles   Lndustriales,  and  San  Bartolo  y  Rio 

Verde. 

Other  railroad-  in  the  Republic,  operating  under  State  grants,  are 
shown  in  this  table: 


Total 

Length  of 
city  lines. 

Length  of 

suburban 

lines. 

Length  of 
portable 

railways. 

Power. 

State. 

length  of 
line. 

Horse. 

Steam. 

Elec- 
tricity. 

Aguascalientee 

17,224 

228,540 

32,926 

4,000 
57,363 

12,054 

17,936 

3,000 

Mt  t>  re. 
."..170 
107,540 
13,340 
4,000 
4,000 
47,000 

Mi  ti  re, 

Meters. 

12,054 

225,000 

27,926 

7,000 

M1I1  is. 
5,170 
3,540 

Mi  ii  re. 

94,000 
1,650 

4,000 
47,000 

10,303 

9,000 

1,303 

CAP  IT  A  L    INVESTED. 


331 


Total 

length  of 

line. 

Length  of 
city  lines. 

Length  of 

suburban 
linos. 

Length  of 

portable 
r-ulw  r,  s. 

Power. 

State. 

Horse. 

Steam. 

Elec- 
tricity. 

Durango 

Meters. 

57, 400 

156, 809 

6, 252 

21,612 

113,111 

9,050 

32, 506 

51,972 

85, 937 

1,500 

369, 559 

38, 240 

70, 150 

6,175 

28, 338 

64, 311 

19, 971 

47, 142 

1,000 

38, 421 

118,884 

2, 546, 372 

67, 950 

Meters. 

7,000 
38, 248 

M(  it  rs. 
50,  400 
89, 404 

Mt  h  rs. 

Mtlt  rs. 

7, 000 
156,809 

6,  252 
21,612 
90,  056 

9, 050 
32, 506 
51,972 
41,937 

1,500 
360, 809 
38, 240 
54, 650 

6,175 

7,338 
64,311 

Meters. 
50, 400 

Meters. 

Guanajuato 

29, 157 
6,262 

Hidalgo 

21, 612 
66, 189 

9, 050 
10, 151 

2, 602 
30, 937 

1,500 
51,350 
11,240 
33, 650 

4, 042 

7,338 
18, 211 
16, 623 

46, 922 

23, 055 

Michoacan 

22, 355 
8,870 
55, 000 

""40,566" 

Morelos 

Nuevo  Leon 

44, 000 

Puebla 

266, 509 
27, 000 
32, 500 
2,133 
21,000 
3,000 
3,348 

47, 142 

51,700 

8,750 

San  Luis  Potosi 

4,000 

15,500 

Sinai  oa 

Sonora 

21, 000 

Tabasco 

43, 100 

Tamaulipas 

19, 971 

Territory  of   Lower 

47,142 

1,000 

1,000 

38, 421 

97, 034 

2,  484,  372 

26, 950 

38, 421 
43, 310 
510,690 
49, 000 

Veracruz 

46, 574 
35, 712 
18, 950 

29, 000 
1,999,970 

21, 850 
62,000 
42, 000 

Yucatan 

Total 

4, 299, 715 

502, 332 

1, 498, 054 

2, 299, 329 

3,897,945 

400, 407 

1  363 

On  the  31st  of  December,  1903,  the  number  of  kilometers  of  railways 
in  operation  in  Mexico  was  16,471:,  divided  into  five  groups  as  follows: 

Kilometers. 

Steam  traction 15, 953. 956 

Electric  traction 12.  749 

Animal  traction 240.  271 

Electric,  steam,  and  animal  traction 241.  428 

Animal  and  steam  traction 25.  500 

The  first  group  consists  of  the  various  lines  which  constitute  the 
general  steam  railway  system  of  Mexico. 

The  second  group  consists  of  the  10.817  kilometers  from  Lerdo  to 
Torreon,  and  1.932  kilometers  of  the  Ciudad  de  Juarez  tramways, 
which  use  solely  electric  traction. 

The  third  group  embraces  the  17  side  lines  of  varying  lengths  from 
stations  on  the  main  steam  lines,  which  use  traction  by  mules  or 
horses,  and  may  be  called  local  feeders. 

The  fourth  group  consists  of  the  tramways  in  the  Federal  District 
which  radiate  from  the  Zocalo  or  Central  Square  in  front  of  the 
National  Palace  to  all  parts  of  the  city,  and  to  all  the  suburbs;  these 
use  electric  traction  on  all  the  principal  lines,  steam  on  one  outside 
freight  line,  and  animal  traction  on  various  minor  lines  which  have 
not  yet  been  changed  from  the  primitive  construction. 

The  fifth  is  the  line  from  Esperanza  to  Xuchil  which  uses  steam  on 
one  part  and  mules  on  the  other. 

Capital  invested. — The  total  amouut  of  foreign  capital  invested  in 
Mexican  railways  in  1903,  less  the  sum  paid  in  subsidies,  was 
$767,151,849  Mexican  currency,  according  to  "The  Mexican  Journal 


332  Mexico. 

of  Commerce,"  April   1.  l'.to4.     The  amount  involved  in  the  several 
roads  are  as  follows: 

Mexican 982,421,653 

Mexican  Central  (entire  system  ) 361,510,  194 

National  (not  including  controlled  line) 169,797,304 

I  nternational 83,  688,  4  W 

I  men  tceanic 54,  983,  B5 1 

Mexican  Southern 24,000,000 

Chihuahua  and  Pacific 16,511,  L45 

Mexican  National  ( '(instruction  Company 1,  7t>0,  000 

Kansas  City,  Mexico  and  Orient 1,  522,  206 

Mexican  Northern 3,652,000 

Chihuahua  Mineral 682,  864 

Naoozari  to  the  border 1,  650,  000 

Nac< .  to  ( 'ananea 2,  500,  000 

I'arral  and  Durango 2,  200, 000 

Sierra  Madre 6,  840,  000 

S.  >ni  >ra 15, 035, 1 25 

Tlacotepec  and  Huajuapam 1 ,  000,  000 

Tultenango  and  Yondese 754,  287 

Veracruz  and  Alvarado ' 1,  000,  000 

Veracruz  to  Pacific 22,  000,  000 

The  amounts  above  are  figured  at  an  exchange  of  '2'2o. 

The  number  of  roads  constructed  with  Mexican  capital  alone  is  .V). 
a  total  mileage  of  something  in  the  neighborhood  of  4,<><hi  kilometers. 
These  roads  are  mostly  of  narrow  gauge  type  and  average  on  the 
whole  about  To  kilometers  to  the  line. 

Subsidies. — The  total  amount  paid  in  subsidies,  according  to  the 
same  authority,  was  $151,251,096.68,  of  which  the  Tehuantepec 
National  received  the  largest  share,  with  the  Mexican  Central  follow- 
ing the  second. 

The  aggregate  amounts  paid  to  each  road  are  as  follow-: 

Tehuantepec  National $45,  708, 428.  53 

Mexican 13, 685, 194.  59 

I '!  -  grea  .to  Merida 218,  718. 00 

Hidalgo 047,  296.  37 

Veracruz  to  Alvarado 394, 000.  00 

Merida  b  i  1  'eto 871,  295.  83 

Interoceanic 6,  536,  377.  74 

Sinaloa  and  Durango 557,  343.  01 

Mexican  Central 27,  301,  395.  00 

Mexican  National 12, 309, 870. 00 

Sonora 2, 171, 310. 00 

Merida  to  Valladodil 298, 158.  00 

Tlalmanalco  Railroad 159, 900.  00 

Merida  to  (  am peche 1 ,  124,  665.  00 

San  Marcos  Nautla 419, 508.  00 

San  Juan  Bautista 20, 125.  00 

Chalchicomula  Railway 22,  238.  65 


AMERICAN    CAPITAL.  333 

Tlaxcala  to  Santa  Ana $28, 000.  00 

Cardenas  to  Grijalva  River 33,  750.  00 

Toluca  to  las  Huertas 46,  250.  00 

Venegas,  Cedral,  Matehuala  and  Rio  Verde 341, 000.  00 

Merida  to  Sotuta 395,  088.  00 

Mexican  Southern 11,  248,  805. 10 

Tonala  to  frontier 444,  000.  00 

Monterey  and  Mexican  Gulf 5,  534,  552.  24 

Tecolutla  Espinal 100,  500.  00 

Cordoba  to  Tuxtepec 408, 000.  00 

Fachuca  to  Tarnpico 665, 000.  00 

Michoaciin  and  Pacific 502,  000.  00 

Mexican  Northeastern 294, 000.  00 

Salamanca  to  Valle  de  Santiago 280, 000.  00 

Veracruz  to  Boca  del  Rio 83, 000. 00 

Tula  to  Zacualtipan  and  Tampico 560,  000.  00 

Lower  California 31,  300.  00 

Monte  Alto 182, 000.  00 

Mexico,  Cuernavaca  and  Pacific 5,  225,  300. 00 

Oaxaca  Coal  Railway 603,  700.  00 

Chihuahua  and  Pacific 1,  400,  000.  00 

Jerez  to  Corralitos 2,  000, 000.  00 

Veracruz  and  Pacific 3, 569,  500.  00 

Xico  and  San  Rafael. 587, 500.  00 

San  Luis  Potosi  and  Rio  Verde 240, 000.  00 

San  Marcos  to  Tecolutla 150,  850.  00 

Tacubaya  y  Santa  Fe  (D.  F. ) 16,  800.  00 

Mexican  National  Construction  Company » 968,  965.  00 

Sierra  Madre 1,  890,  000.  00 

Tlacotepec  and  Huajuapam 45,  000.  00 

Total 151,  251,  096.  68 

American  capital. — Consul-General  Barlow,  in  his  report  already 
mentioned,  estimates  that  about  80  per  cent  of  the  total  capital  invested 
in  railroads  in  Mexico  is  represented  by  American  capital.  In  this 
connection  the  Consul-General  says: 

"All  of  the  important  railroads  in  Mexico  (except  the  Interoceanic, 
which  runs  between  this  cit}r  (Mexico)  and  Veracruz,  and  was  recently 
acquired  by  the  Mexican  Government;  the  Mexican  Railway,  which 
also  runs  between  this  city  and  Veracruz,  which  is  controlled  by  Eng- 
lish capital;  and  the  National  Tehuantepec  Railway,  which  is  being- 
reconstructed  by  S.  Pearson  &  Son,  of  London,  under  contract  with 
the  Mexican  Government),  are  owned  by  American  capital. 

"A  large  amount  of  American  capital  has  been  invested  in  the  rail- 
roads of  this  country  within  the  past  two  years,  the  Mexican  National 
Railroad  having  passed  from  British  to  American  control,  and  the 
Mexican  Central,  always  American,  having  acquired  some  short  lines 
which  were  not  owned  by  American  capital.  Since  the  construction 
of  the  Mexican  Central  by  Americans,  some  twenty  years  ago,  United 


334  mbxioo. 

States  capita]  has  always  been  the  strongest  factor  in  Mexican  rail- 
roads, and  at  present  ii  constitutes  about  80  per  cent  of  the  total  ca]  i 
tal  invested  in  railroads  in  this  country. 

••The  Mexican  ( Vntral  Railroad  represents  the  largest  single  Ameri- 
can interest  in  Mexico.  The  amount,  ^l.YV.i'.t'.i.'.v.i.  i;>.  given  as  the 
capital  employed,  represents  what  has  actually  been  paid  out  up  to  the 
present  time  for  the  construction  and  equipment  of  the  road.  The 
Mexican  National  is  the  next  strongest,  with  a  capital  invested  <>!' 
$107,350,000.  This  entire  amount  has  not  been  actually  spent  on  the 
construction  and  equipment  of  the  road  up  to  date,  hut  it  will  be  within 
the  next  year.  *  *  *  The  Mexico.  Cuernavaca  and  Pacific  Kail- 
way  has  recently  been  sold  to  tin1  Mexican  Central,  but  since  the 
transfer  has  not  as  yet  been  made  officially,  the  road  is  considered  in 
this  report  as  a  separate  road." 

Intercontinental  Railway.  The  report0  submitted  to  the  Secretary 
of  State  of  the  United  States  by  Mi-.  ( JharleS  M.  Pepper.  (  oniinissioner 
to  carry  out  the  resolution  of  the  Second  International  Conference  of 
American  States,  held  in  the  City  of  Mexico  in  the  winter  L901  2,  con- 
tains most  valuable  data  in  regard  to  the  progress  made  by  the  inter- 
continental railway  in  Mexico.  The  following  information  is  taken 
from  that  important  document: 

"Under  authority  of  the  general  railway  law  the  franchise  was 
granted  for  the  line  known  by  its  corporate  title  as  the  Pan-American 
Railway,  which  should  start  from  a  point  on  the  National  Tchuantepec 
Kail  road  and  should  continue  through  Tonala  to  the  border  of  Guate- 
mala. The  point  selected  was  the  station  of  San  Geroninio.  which  is  a 
few  miles  northeast  of  tin1  town  of  Tehuan tepee.  The  route  surveyed 
to  the  border  of  Guatemala  was  260  miles  (418  kilometers).  On  .Janu- 
ary 1,  L904,  88  miles  i  L41.5  kilometers)  were  constructed,  leaving  1 7^ 
miles  (276.5  kilometers)  to  be  built.  By  the  terms  of  the  concession 
the  subsidy  is  granted  in  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $12,000  Mexican 
silver,  bearing  5  per  cent  interest,  for  each  kilometer  constructed,  or 
§3,816,000  for  the  whole  line,  and  80  kilometers  are  required  to  he 
built  each  twelve  months.  The  entire  system  must  be  finished  by 
September  11.  1907,  but  your  Commissioner  was  informed  there  is  a 
probability  that  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Mexican  Government  for  its 
earlier  completion  will  be  gratified.  This  railway  is  to  be  of  standard 
gauge,  4  feet  vl  inches. 

"In  view  of  the  termination  of  the  Veracruz  to  the  Pacific  Kail- 
road,  which  has  placed  the  City  of  Mexico  in  direct  communication 
with  the  Isthmus  of  Tchuantepec.  including  the  Pan-American  junc- 
tion point   of   San   Ger6nimo,  the    branch   running   southeasl    from 

«" Pan-American  Railway,'"  Senate  Document  No.  206,  58th  Congress,  -'<!  session, 

Washington,  1904. 


RAILWAY    GROWTH.  335 

Oaxaca,  which  formerly  was  considered  a  necessary  part  of  the  inter- 
continental connection,  is  not  of  immediate  consequence.  It  has  been 
extended  as  far  as  Ejutla. 

'"  Progress  in  Imilding  interoceanic  lines. — No  less  important  than 
the  north  and  south  connection  are  the  projects  for  interoceanic  roads 
which  will  join  Tampico  and  the  other  Gulf  of  Mexico  ports  with  the 
ports  of  the  Pacific.  These  are  of  significance,  both  from  the  world 
commerce  in  transit  which  they  are  expected  to  handle  and  from  the 
interior  trade  which  they  will  help  to  develop.  On  January  1  of  the 
present  year  (1904)  there  was  only  one  means  of  through  interoceanic 
railway  communication.  This  was  from  Veracruz,  on  the  Atlantic, 
via  Cordoba  and  Tehuantepec,  to  Salina  Cruz,  on  the  Pacific. 

"Four  other  through  lines  are  planned.  These  are,  first,  the  exten- 
sion of  the  road  known  as  the  Cuernavaca  and  Pacific  from  its  present 
terminus  on  the  river  Balsas  to  Acapulco.  probably  via  Chilpancingo; 
second,  the  Mexican  Central  from  Tuxpan  to  Colima,  a  distance  of  48 
miles,  from  which  place  a  line  now  runs  to  the  port  of  Manzanillo; 
third,  the  International  Railroad  from  Durango  to  Mazatlan,  220  miles 
(354  kilometers),  at  an  estimated  cost  of  $12,500,000  gold;  fourth,  the 
Kansas  Cit}^  Mexico  and  Orient  from  Chihuahua  to  Topolobampo, 
435  miles  (700  kilometers). 

"On  the  Kansas  City,  Mexico  and  Orient  line  124  miles  (200  kilo- 
meters), Chihuahua  to  Minaca,  have  been  constructed,  and  45  miles 
(72  kilometers),  from  Topolobampo  toward  Minaca,  also  have  been 
built.     Work  is  in  progress  on  the  other  sections. 

"The  Cuernavaca  and  Pacific  Railroad  is  controlled  by  the  Mexican 
Central,  and  as  that  company  is  extending  its  main  branch  from  Gua- 
dalajara through  Tuxpan  and  Colima  to  Manzanillo,  the  probability  is 
that  it  will  first  reach  the  Pacific  over  this  route. 

"The  extension  of  the  International  from  Durango  to  Mazatlan  will 
place  New  Orleans  within  1,300  miles  of  a  Pacific  seaport. 

"Some  of  the  interoceanic  extensions  have  been  deferred  tempora- 
rily while  awaiting  the  action  of  the  Government  in  changing  the 
basis  of  its  monetary  system,  but  none  has  been  abandoned. 

"  Remarkable  railway  growth. — The  growth  of  the  Mexican  rail- 
roads has  been  one  of  the  marvels  of  the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  In 
1873,  when  the  pioneer  line,  the  Mexican  and  Veracruz,  was  con- 
cluded, the  total  extent  was  335  miles  (540  kilometers).  In  1903  there 
were  in  operation  9,701  miles  (15,612  kilometers)  This  did  not  include 
the  horse  tramways  and  the1  electric  and  other  traction  lines  in  the 
cities  and  States.  At  this  date  there  are  approximately  10,000  miles 
(16,000  kilometers)  of  railroads  in  actual  operation. 

"This  remarkable  advance  is  a  tribute  to  the  farsighted  liberality 
and  the  statesmanship  of  His  Excellency  Gen.  Porfirio  Diaz,  under 


336  Mexico. 

whose  successive  administrations  as  President  foreign  capital  has 
shown  its  appreciation  of  the  security  and  stability  afforded  it  and  bas 
taken  advantage  of  the  profitable  returns  resulting  from  developing 
the  enormous  natural  resources  and  Fostering  the  commerce  of  the 
country." 

The  report  in  question  is  supplemented  by  an  appendix  containing 
statistical  tallies  on  Mexican  railway-  prepared  for  the  information  of 
the  commissioner  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Leandro  Fernandez,  the 
Minister  of  Communications  and  Public  Works  of  Mexico,  showing  the 
subsidized  and  unsubsidized  railroads  for  which  concessions  have  been 
granted,  the  work  already  done,  and  the  distances  yet  to  be  covered. 
From  the  data  submitted  it  appears  that  on  January  1.  L904,  the  total 
of  the  systems  engaged  in  extensions  and  new  constructions,  and  parts 
of  which  were  in  operation,  was  !*.74<>  miles  (15,685  kilometers).  The 
existing  concessions  include  2,235  miles  (:'>.. v.»7  kilometers)  of  subsi- 
dized construction  and  3,843  miles  (6,188  kilometers)  of  unsubsidized 
construction,  or  in  all  t>,078  miles  (l'.7s:»  kilometers).  The  total 
amount  of  subsidies  granted  by  the  Government  in  cash  and  bonds  for 
the  lines  now  under  construction  or  making  extensions  is  $30,522,000 
Mexican  silver.  A  few  of  the  bonds  bear  interest  at  6  per  cent,  but 
the  larger  portion  are  5  per  cent.  In  addition  to  the  cash  guaranties 
public  lands  to  the  value  of  $5, 136,000  have  been  granted. 

Principal  railroads. — The  Ferrocarril  Mexico/no  (Mexican  Railway) 
was  the  first  steam  road  built  in  the  Republic.  Its  construction 
w;is  begun  in  1S.">7.  and  portions  of  the  line  were  opened  to  the  public 
at  different  times.  The  Puebla  branch  was  inaugurated  in  1869,  the 
main  branch  being  opened  for  its  entire  length  in  1873  and  the 
Ometusco-Fachuca extension  in  December,  1S90.  The  total  length  of 
the  line  is  516  kilometers  500  meters,  as  follows:  Mexico  to  Veracruz, 
423  kilometers  750  meters:  Apizaco  to  Puebla,  47  kilometers,  and  from 
Ometusco  to  Pachuca,  45  kilometers  750  meters.  It  is  a  standard- 
gauge  road,  and  runs  through  the  States  of  Veracruz,  Puebla,  Hidalgo, 
and  Mexico,  starting  at  the  city  of  Veracruz  and  passing  through  the 
towns  of  Cordova,  Orizaba.  Puebla.  and  Pachuca.  its  terminal  point 
being  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  is  considered  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
and  picturesque  railway  lines  in  the  world,  passing  as  it  does  from 
tropical  vegetation  of  the  valleys  to  the  eternal  snows  on  the  summits 
of  extinct  volcanoes.  From  Veracruz  to  Orizaba  the  grade  of  ascent 
is  gradual,  skirting  the  mountains  and  traversing  valleys  and  canyons. 
At  the  latter  point  the  tropical  landscapes  come  to  an  end  and  are  suc- 
ceeded by  those  of  the  temperate  zone,  the  altitude  being  1,200  meters 
above  sea  level.  The  line  continues  its  ascent,  climbing  the  mountains 
overbeds  of  volcanic  formation  at  dizzy  heights,  through  tunnels,  etc., 
until  the  semicircular  viaduct  of  "El  Intiernillo"  is  reached,  which  is 


MEXICAN    CENTRAL    RAILWAY.  337 

considered  one  of  the  boldest  and  most  remarkable  engineering-  feats 
of  modern  times.  At  this  point  the  altitude  reached  is  2,450  meters 
above  sea  level,  the  line  passing  into  the  cold  zone,  and  after  a  few 
hours1  run  the  traveler  enters  the  Central  Plateau.  The  rapid  descent 
of  Maltrata,  the  grade  being  1  per  cent,  necessitates  the  use  of  double 
locomotives  of  the  Farlie  system  for  the  safety  of  the  trains.  From 
1893  to  December  31,  1902,  the  Mexican  Railway  carried  7,877,113 
passengers  and  7,002,103  tons  of  freight,  the  total  earnings  of  the  line 
being  $39,058, 626.« 

Ferrocarril  Central  Mexlcano. — The  Mexican  Central  Railway  is  the 
result  of  the  amalgamation  of  different  Government  concessions 
granted  originally  either  to  the  compan}r  now  in  control  of  the  line  or 
to  others.  Work  on  the  main  line,  from  Mexico  to  Paso  del  Norte, 
was  commenced  on  May  25,  1880,  and  completed  March  8,  1881,  the 
total  extent  being  1,970  kilometers,  which  indicates  a  per  diem  labor 
rate  of  1,500  meters.  The  expenses  of  construction  are  estimated  at 
$35,500,000,  of  which  amount  the  Government  contributed  $18,620,000. 
This  is  the  longest  and  most  important  road  in  the  Republic,  having 
connections  with  the  United  States  and  thereby  facilitating  trade, 
while  at  the  same  time  it  protects  the  States  of  Chihuahua  and  Sonora 
from  the  depreciations  of  certain  Indian  tribes  and  assists  in  the  devel- 
opment of  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  '"'Sierra."  The  total  length  in 
working  condition  was,  on  December  31,  1902,  3,731  kilometers  183 
meters. 

The  road  was  opened  to  regular  passenger  traffic  on  the  10th  of 
April,  1881.  The  Guadalajara  division  was  opened  May  21,  1888,  and 
the  Tampico  division  was  finished  March  30,  1890,  thereby  bringing 
the  line  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  at  Tampico.  The  railway  is  standard 
gauge,  and  traverses  the  Federal  District,  the  States  of  Mexico, 
Hidalgo,  Queretaro,  Guanajuato,  Jalisco,  Aguascalientes,  Zacatecas, 
Coahuila,  Durango,  and  Chihuahua.  It  affords  an  outlet  to  the  agri- 
cultural centers  of  San  Juan  del  Rio,  Penjamo,  Silao,  the  extensive 
territory  called  El  Bajio,  and  Lagos;  to  such  manufacturing  cities  as 
Queretaro,  Cela}*a,  and  Leon;  to  the  rich  mining  districts  of  Pachuca, 
Zimapan,  Guanajuato,  Zacatecas,  Sombrerete,  Sierra  Mojada,  and  Chi- 

«The  Mexican  Railway  connects  in  Mexico  City  with  the  Mexican  Central  and 
Mexican  National  for  northern  and  western  points  and  with  the  Interoceanic  Rail- 
road for  Morales;  in  Puebla,  with  the  Mexican  Southern  for  Oaxaca,  Puerto,  Angel, 
and  Tehuantepec,  and  with  the  Interoceanic  for  Izucar  de  Matamoros;  in  San  Marcos, 
with  the  Nautla  Railroad  for  San  Juan  de  los  Llanos;  in  Esperanza,  with  the  Tehuan- 
tepec Railroad;  in  Cordova,  with  the  Agricola  Railroad  for  Motzorongo  and  Tuxtepec; 
and  in  Veracruz,  with  the  Alvarado  Radroad  for  Tlacotalpam,  San  Andres,  Tuxtla, 
Co^amaloapan,  and  Playa  Vicente,  and  with  steamship  lines  for  Mexican  Gulf  ports, 
namely,  Progreso,  Campeche,  Carmen,  Frontera,  Coatzacoalcos,  Tuxpam,  and  Tam- 
pico, and  for  Habana,  and  American,  English,  Spanish,  French,  and  German  ports. 
509a— 04 22 


MEXICO. 

huahua;  to  the  cotton  country  in  the  valleys  of  the  rivers  Na/.a- and 
( Jonchos,  and  to  the  commercial  centers  of  Mexico,  < ruadalajara,  Aguas- 
calientes,  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  Tampico. a 

From  L893to  December,  L902,  the  Mexican  Central  carried  L5,594,405 
passengers, the  receiptsfromthisbranchoftheservicebeing$37,44:5,265; 
also  L6,064,885  ton- of  freight,  which  produced  |J  L0,040,099,  or  a  total 
for  the  period  under  consideration  of  *147.4s;>.354. 

Ferroearril  Tnterocednico. — The  Interoceanic  Railway  is  the  result  of 
a  concession  to  build  a  road  connecting  Veracruz  and  Acapulco (hence 
it-  name  Interoceanic),  which  was  granted  by  the  Mexican  Government 
in  April,  1878.  In  L902  the  length  of  the  line  was  778  kilometer-. 
From  1893  to  December  31.  L902,  the  earnings  of  the  road  were  as 
follow-:  Passengers,  9,856,388,  which  produced  16,103,408;  freight, 
:..lM.77t>  tons,  producing  $25,525,993,  or  a  total  of  $31,629,401.* 

/•;  rroca  ,-r'tl  National  Mexicano.-  The  Mexican  National  Railroad 
was  inaugurated  on  November  1.  L888,  but  it- construction  had  been 
under  consideration  since'1857.  It  is  the  shortest  route  between 
Mexico  and  the  United  States.  This  road  traverses  United  States 
territory   for  a  distance  of  260  kilometers   700  meters  from  Laredo 

"The  Mexican  Central  connects  at  El  Paso  with  the  Atchison,  Topeka  and  Santa 
Fe;  for  all  points  northeast  and  west  with  the  Texas  and  Pacific;  with  the  Southern 
Pacific  for  points  north  and  east:  with  Southern  Pacific  Company  and  the  Atchison, 
Topeka  and  Santa  Fe  for  points  north  and  west  in  the  United  States:  at  ( rallego,  with 
Btage  for  Ascencion,  Casas  Grandee,  and  Corralitos;  at  Chihuahua,  with  stage  for 
Cusihuiriachic,  Guerrero,  and  Rosario;  at  Jimenez,  with  Btage  for  Allende  and  Par- 
ral;  at  Escalon,  with  Mexican  Northern  Railway  for  sierra  Mojada;  at  Torreon,  with 
the  Mexican  International  for  DurangO,  Monterey,  and  Tampico,  via  the  Mexican 
Gulf  Railway;  at  Fresnilfo,  with  stage  for  Somhrerete;  atZacatecas,  with  Sullivan 
Construction  Railway  for  Ojo  Caliente,  with  tramway  for  Guadalupe,  and  with  Btage 
for  Jerez;  at  San  Luis  PotosX,  with  the  Mexican  National  for  Catorce  Mines,  Saltillo, 
Monterey,  and  San  Miguel  Allende:  at  Tampico,  with  steamer-  for  Galveston,  New 
Orleans,  Mobile,  New  York,  and  European  ports;  at  Celaya,  with  Mexican  National 
for  points  north  and  south  of  that  road:  at  Negrete,  La  Barca,  and  La  Piedad,  with 
stage  for  Zamora;  at  Guadalajara,  with  stage  for  Mazatlah,  Tepic,  and  Zapotlan;  at 
El  Castilo,  with  tramway  for  the  falls  of  Juanacatlan;  at  Atequiza,  with  Btage  for 
LakeChapala;  at  the  City  of  Mexico,  with  the  Mexican  Railway  and  Interoceanic 
Railway  for  Puebla,  Cholula,  Orizaba,  Veracruz,  Jalapa,  Cuautla,  Oaxaca  via  Mexi- 
can Southern;  with  the  Hidalgo  Railway  for Tulancingo;  at  Huachinango,  with  the 
Mexican  National  for  Toluca,  Morelia,  and  Lake  Patzcuaro,  ami  with  sta>;e  for 
'  hiernavaca. 

''This  line  connects  at  the  City  of  Mexico  with  Mexican  Central  and  Mexican 
National  railroads  for  points  north  and  west;  at  Otumha,  with  Mexican  Railway;  at 
Irolo,  with  Hidalgo  Railway  for  Pachuca;  at  Puebla,  with  Mexican  Southern  for 
Oaxaca.  with  Mexican  Railway  for  Tlaxcala,  and  with  Industrial  Road  (animal 
traction)  for  Cholula  and  San  Marcos  with  the  Nautla  Railroad  and  Mexican  Rail- 
way;  at  Jalapa,  with  tramway  forCbatepec;  at  Veracruz,  with  Mexican  Railway  for 
Alvarado,  and  with  steamers  for  Gulf  ports.  Eiabana,  United  States,  and  Europe;  at 
Compafiia,  with  tramway  for  Chalco;  at  Yautepec,  with  private  conveyance  for 
Cuernavaca;  at  Jojutla,  with  stage  for  principal  towns  in  the  State  of  Guerrero. 


MEXICAN    NATIONAL    RAILWAY.  339 

(Texas)  to  Corpus  Christi,  the  terminus  of  the  line.  From  1893  to 
1902  the  total  earnings  of  the  road  were  as  follows:  $11,337,559  for 
passengers,  and  freight,  $49,145,767,  a  total  of  $60,183,326;  the  num- 
ber of  passengers  being  8,513,991  and  the  freight  weighing  8,901,851 
tons.a 

A  report  of  this  road  dated  March  27,  1903,  gives  the  following 
data  for  1902:  The  gross  earnings  from  all  sources  for  the  year  1902, 
in  Mexican  currenc}%  were  $9,262,859.61;  the  total  expenses  of  oper- 
ating were  $6,018,681.07,  leaving  the  net  earnings  $3,211,175.51,  which, 
reduced  to  gold  at  the  average  price  of  the  Mexican  dollar  for  the 
year  (11.3311  cents),  gives  $1,329,428.38. 

The  gross  earnings  per  mile  of  road  operated  were  $6,862.70,  as 
compared  with  $5,837.23  in  1901,  the  percentage  of  increase  being 
17.57.  The  operating  expenses  per  mile  of  road  operated  were 
$4,481.37,  as  compared  with  $3,628.25  in  1901.  the  percentage  of 
increase  being  23.51.  .The  net  earnings  per  mile  of  road  operated 
were  $2,381.33,  as  compared  with  $2,208.98  in  1901,  the  percentage  of 
increase  being  7.80.  Average  miles  operated  in  1902  were  1,349.74, 
as  compared  with  1,323.32  in  the  preceding  year. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  new  line  between  Huehuetoca  and  Gon- 
zalez the  track  mileage  will  be  as  follows:  Texas  Mexican  Railway,  con- 
trolled by  ownership  of  all  its  securities,  Corpus  Christi  to  Laredo, 
161.620;  International  line  from  Laredo  to  Santiago  station,  City  of 
Mexico,  802.311;  City  of  Mexico,  Colonia  station,  to  Tacuba,  three- 
rail  track,  2.979;  Cintura  line,  three-rait  track,  3.293,  making  a  total 
of  standard  gauge  of  970. 203  miles.  The  trackage  of  the  narrow-gauge 
system  is  as  follows:  City  of  Mexico  to  Uruapan,  320.826  miles; 
Acambaro  to  Gonzalez,  54.959;  Vanegas,  Cedral,  and  Matehuala, 
37.282;  Guanajuato,  San  Luis  de  la  Paz,  and  Pozos,  31.441;  Michoacan 
and  Pacific  (leased  line),  56.927,  making  a  total  of  narrow-gauge  line 
aggregating  501.435  miles.  The  total  mileage,  both  standard  and  nar- 
row gauge,  is  1,471.638,  not  including  the  narrow-gauge  line  from 
Matamoros  to  San  Miguel  de  Tamaulipas  (75  miles)  and  the  Browns- 
ville and  Gulf  line  of  1  mile.  The  company  has  a  very  favorable  con- 
cession from  the  Mexican  Government  for  building  the  line  from  San 
Miguel  to  Monterey,  which  it  is  proposed  to  construct  standard  gauge, 
and  in  connection  therewith  to  broaden  the  gauge  of  the  existing  line 

"  The  connections  of  the  Mexican  National  are  at  Laredo,  for  points  north  and  east 
in  the  United  States;  at  Matamoros,  with  the  Mexican  Gulf  Railway  for  Venadito. 
Montemorelos,  and  Tarnpico;  at  Vanegas,  with  Vanegas,  Cedral  and  Rio  Verde 
Railroad  for  Cedral  and  Matehuala:  at  San  Luis  Potosi  with  Mexican  Central  for 
Aguascalientes  and  Tarnpico;  at  Celaya,  with  same  road  for  Guanajuato  and  Guada- 
lajara; at  Maravati'o,  with  Michoacan  and  Pacific  Uailroad  for  Angangueo;  atToluca, 
with  San  Juan  Railroad  for  Valle;  at  Mexico  City,  with  the  Hidalgo,  the  Inter- 
oceanic,  and  the  Mexican  for  Pachuca,  Pnebla,  Veracruz,  Jalapa,  Orizaba,  and 
Cuautla  Morelos,  and  other  lines  recently  acquired. 


340  MEXICO. 

between  Matamoros  and  San  Miguel,  which  will  make  the  total  distance 
from  Matamoros  to  Monterey  approximately  232  miles.     The  mileage 

above  noted  does  not  include  t  hat  of  t  he  Mexican  International  Railroad 
(880  miles),  control  of  which  was  acquired  by  obtaining  $15,786,100  of 
the  capital  stock  out  of  a  total  issue  of  $20,708,200  and  the  total  issue 
of  income  bonds.  $4,449,000,  which  was  paid  for  by  the  issue  of 
$7,000,000  preferred  stock  and  s7.noo.0110  }  percent  consolidated  bonds 
of  the  new  company,  as  provided  for  in  the  readjustment  plan. 

The  following  concession  has  been  granted  the  National  Railroad 
Company: 

"Duringa  period  of  twenty  years,  from  October 31,  l(.">-'5.  the  Gov- 
ernment will  not  grant  to  any  person  or  corporation  other  than  the 
National  Railway  Company  of  Mexico.  its  assignees,  successors,  or 
lessees  any  right,  privilege,  or  concession  to  construct,  maintain,  or 
operate  any  railway  line  of  any  kind  whatever  in  a  zone  extending 
alongthe  northeastern  frontier  of  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  said 
zone  being  bounded  on  the  northeast  by  the  Bravo  River  (Rio  Grande 
del  Noite)  and  on  the  southwest  by  a  line  drawn  at  a  distance  of  50 
kilometer-  from  said  river  and  parallel  thereto  in  that  part  of  its 
course  which  is  comprised  between  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  a  meridian 
passing  through  a  point  situated  upon  said  Bravo  River  loo  kilometers, 
measured  along  the  bed  of  the  river,  t«>  the  northwest  of  Ciudad 
Porfirio  Diaz,  in  the  State  of  Coahuila." 

The  concession  to  which  the  foregoing  refers  is  granted  subject  to 
the  following  conditions: 

The  company  will  complete,  construct,  and  equip  its  line  from 
Monterey  to  Matamoros  within  three  years  from  January  1,  1  !*< >4. 
If  on  January  1.  L907,  said  line  is  not  completed,  constructed,  and 
equipped,  the  concession  will  be  forfeited. 

Other  concessions  may  be  granted  within  the  said  zone,  provided 
that  the  lines  to  be  constructed  and  operated  are  only  branches  or 
local  routes  connecting  solely  with  the  main  lines  of  the  National 
Railway  Company  of  Mexico. 

At  the  request  of  the  National  Railway  Company  the  Government 
will  consent  to  the  consolidation,  both  as  to  control  and  operation,  of 
the  National.  Lnteroceanic,  and  International  railway  systems. 

Ferrocarril  Tntemadonal  M<.i!<<i/i<>.  -The  Mexican  International 
Railway  is  a  standard-gauge  railway,  an  extension  of  the  Southern 
Pacific.  It  is  the  only  trunk  line  built  in  Mexico  with  United  States 
capital  without  a  subsidy.  Believing  that  a  road  from  the  Rio  Grande 
toward  the  Pacific  Ocean  would  cross  a  section  of  the  Republic  of 
Mexico  susceptible  of  great  development,  this  company  obtained  cer- 
tain concessions  in  L881,  modified  in  1882  and  1883,  and  work  was  im- 
mediately commenced  at  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz  and  the  Lampazos 
branch,  thereby  reaching  the  coal  fields  of  San  Felipe.     The  track  of 


MEXICO,   CUERNAVACA    AND    PACIFIC    RAILWAY  341 

the  main  line  to  Torreon  was  completed  January  12, 1888,  and  the  opera- 
tion of  the  road  was  commenced  two  months  later.  The  San  Pedro 
branch  was  built  in  1890,  and  the  main  line  was  completed  October  1, 
1892,  to  Durango,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  Durango.  This  road 
traverses  the  States  of  Coahuila  and  Durango,  and  will  extend  through 
Sinaloa  to  reach  Mazatlan,  on  the  Pacific  coast.  It  touches  Eagle 
Pass.  Allende,  Sal/mas,  Monclova,  Trevino,  Jaral,  Paila,  Torreon, 
Durango,  and  other  points. 

From  1893  to  1902  the  total  earnings  of  this  road  amounted  to 
$37,852,435,  divided  as  follows:  Passengers  (1,552,274),  $4,320,692, 
and  freight  (5,517,129  tons),  $33,531,743.  The  total  length  in  opera- 
tion in  1902  was  1,41(5  kilometers  680  meters/' 

F<  rt'ocarril  de  Monterey  al  Golfo  Mexicano. — The  Monterey  and 
Mexican  Gulf  Railway  is  the  property  of  the  National  Railway  Com- 
pany, but  the  original  grant  of  November  10,  1887,  was  made  to  an 
American  company,  which  built  the  line.  It  extends  from  Trevino 
(formerly  Venadito),  in  the  State  of  Coahuila,  on  the  International 
line,  as  far  as  Tampico,  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  a  distance  of  624  kilo- 
meters 640  meters,  passing  through  Monterey,  the  capital  of  Nuevo 
Leon,  and  Ciudad  Victoria,  in  Tamaulipas.  This  road  connects  at 
Trevino  with  the  International  for  Torreon,  Durango,  and  points 
north;  at  Monterey  with  the  Mexican  National  for  points  north  and 
south  on  that  line;  at  Tampico  with  the  Mexican  Central  for  San  Luis 
Potosi  and  Aguascalientes,  and  with  steamers  for  Gulf  ports,  the 
United  States,  Cuba,  and  Europe. 

The  earnings  of  the  road  since  1893,  up  to  December  31,  1901,  were 
$10,555,190,  divided  as  follows:  Passengers  (1,073,608),  $1,315,445, 
and  freight  (2,024,230  tons),  $9,239,745/ 

Ferrocarril  de  Mexico  a  Cuema/oacCb  y  el  Pacifico. — The  Mexico, 
Cuernavaea  and  Pacitic  Railway  has  a  total  operating  length  of  292.50 
kilometers,  the  concession  for  its  construction  dating  Ma}7  30,  1890. 
The  first  division,  from  the  capital  to  Cuernavaea,  a  distance  of  119 
kilometers,  was  opened  to  traffic  on  December  12,  1897.  Beyond 
Cuernavaea  there  is  a  branch  line,  40  kilometers  long,  connecting 
Puente  de  Ixtala.  lguala,  and  Mexcala.     From  1895  to  1901'  the  move- 

"Connections:  At  Eagle  Pass,  with  the  Southern  Pacific  Company  for  all  points  in 
the  Tinted  States;  at  Allende,  with  stage  for  Zaragoza;  at  Sabinas,  with  stage  for 
San  Juan  de  Sabinas;  at  Felipe,  with  stage  for  Juarez  and  Progreso;  at  Berroteran, 
with  stage  for  Villa  de  Musquiz  (Sapta  Rosa);  at  Monclova,  with  stage  for  Cuatro 
Cienegaa  and  Sierra  Mojada;  at  Trevino,  with  the  Mexican  Gulf  Railway  for  Monte- 
rey, Tampico,  and  points  on  the  National;  at  Jaral,  with  stage  forSaltillo,  the  capital 
of  the  State  of  Coahuila;  at  Paila,  with  stage  for  Parras;  at  Homos,  with  stage  for 
Viesca;  at  Torreon,  with  the  Mexican  Central  Railway  for  all  points  on  that  line  and 
its  connections. 

ftData  for  1902  included  in  report  for  the  National  Railway. 

''Data  for  1902  included  in  report  for  the  Mexican  Central. 


342  MEXICO. 

iin'iit  of  the  line  is  represented  by  331,266  passengers  and  701,663  tons 
<>f  freight,  the  total  earnings  being  estimated  at  $2,214,869,  of  which 
$425,454  is  for  passengers  and  $1,789,414  for  freight. 

Ferrocarril  National  Tnterocednico  </•  Tehuantepec. — The  National 
Lnteroceanic  Tehuantepec  Railroad  is  destined  to  he  one  of  the  most 
important  in  the  Republic.  The  project  was  to  build  across  the  Isth- 
mus of  Tehuantepec  and  connect  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans. 

The  idea  of  a  highway  for  this  purpose  is  very  old,  dating  from  the 
time  of  Cortes.  Surveys  and  plans  have  been  made  from  time  to 
time,  but  those  of  Captain  Eads  take  the  first  place.  The  first  serious 
efforts  to  realize  this  great  work  began  in  ls~!».  when  an  American 
company  obtained  a  concession;  but,  unfortunately,  the  company  was 
declared  bankrupt  in  1882.  Jn  L883  the  Mexican  Government  under- 
took to  build  the  road  and  laid  rails  for  a  distance  of  some  4o  kilome- 
ters. In  1889  and  L 890  about  loo  more  kilometers  of  rails  were  laid 
under  the  McMurdo  contract,  and  it  was  supposed  that  there  remained 
only  LOO  kilometers  more  to  build.  In  1891  the  McMurdo  concession 
was  rescinded  and  a  new  contract  was  made  with  Stanhope,  Corthell  & 
Hampson.  By  virtue  of  the  authorization  which  Congress  gave  the 
Executive  in  the  year  L895,  a  contract  was  entered  into  with  Stanhope 
&  ( lorthell  for  the  completion  of  the  road. 

The  total  length  of  the  line  from  Coatzacoalcos  on  the  Gulf  to 
Salina  Cruz  on  the  Pacific  measures  309  kilometers  HIT  meters.  The 
Government,  pursuant  to  the  authority  of  Congress,  has  recently 
leased  the  road  to  S.  Pearson  t<:  Son,  of  London,  for  fifty  years.  The 
firm  contracts  to  build  two  harbors,  one  at  Coatzacoalcos  and  the 
other  at  Salina  Cruz  and  to  rebuild  and  repair  the  railroad.  The 
Government  guarantees  »'>  percent  on  whatever  investment  is  made 
in  the  work,  the  excess  over  this  percentage  reverting  to  the  Govern- 
ment. The  firm  is  to  exploit  the  harbors  for  its  own  benefit.  At  the 
expiration  of  the  fifty  years  the  line,  together  with  the  harhors.  will 
again  become  the  property  of  the  Government.0 

Ferrocarril  del  Rio  annul*  Sierra  Madreyel  Paeifico. — The  Rio 
Grande,  Sierra  Madre  and  Pacific  Railroad  is  a  new  road  built  entirely 
by  New  York  capital  under  a  grant  bearing  date  of  March  _!4.  L896. 
It  runs  from  Ciudad  Juarez  (Chiahuahua)  to  the  southeast  part  of  the 
Republic.  Ground  was  broken  for  the  inception  of  the  line  on  August 
1.'..  L896,  and  the  first  passenger  train  ran  over  the  completed  line  to 
Casas  Grandes,  a  distance  of  250  kilometers,  on  June  27,  1897.  The 
cost  of  construction  was  $8,400  per  English  mile,  and  other  expenses, 

"The  road  traverses  the  States  of  Veracruz  and  Oaxaca,  touching  Coatzacoalcos, 
Minatitlan.  Suchil,  Tehuantepec.  and  Salina  Cruz.  At  Coatzacoalcos  it  connects  with 
steamers  for  Gulf  ports.  Hahana,  United  States,  and  Europe;  at  Tehuantepec  with 
private  conveyance  for  Oaxaca,  Miahuthtn,  and  Pachutla,  and  at  Salina  Cruz  with 
strainers  for  Tonala,  San  Benito,  and  other  Pacific  coast  ports. 


RAILROAD    TRAFFIC. 


343 


such  as  right  of  way,  equipment,  telegraph  lines,  etc.,  amounted  to 
about  $2,475  more.  The  total  length  of  the  line  measures  256  kilo- 
meters 575  meters.  The  earnings  of  the  road  from  1897  to  1902  were 
$1,474,869,  of  which  $242,163  were  for  passengers  and  $1,232,705  for 
freight. 

The  "Anuario  Estadistico"  for  1902  gives  a  list  of  90  railways, 
including  those  already  mentioned,  whose  combined  length  is  15,137 
kilometers  505  meters.  There  are  besides  rnanj'  other  minor  lines,  too 
numerous  to  mention,  and  new  concessions  are  being  granted  ever}'  day. 

Federal  District. — The  railways  in  the  Federal  District  show  earn- 
ings to  the  amount  of  $17,195,144  for  the  period  between  1893  and 
1902,  divided  as  follows:  Passengers  (220,163,684),  $14,621,954,  and 
$2,573,189  from  other  sources.  There  are  two  systems  of  traction  used 
in  the  district,  animal  and  electrical,  representing  the  city,  suburban 
and  other  lines,  with  a  total  length  of  239  kilometers  883  meters. 
The  report  of  the  Mexico  Electric  Tramways  (Limited)  for  1902  shows 
that  the  total  distance  operated  on  by  electricity  under  the  compan}T's 
system  is  116  kilometers.  During  the  year  311,132,030  passengers 
were  carried,  as  against  26,709,225  passengers  during  the  previous 
year  (1901),  being  an  increase  of  4,422,805  passengers,  and  the  receipts 
amounted  to  $2,400,787.83,  as  against  $2,103,174.87  in  1901,  showing 
an  increase  of  $297,612.96.  The  increase  in  prices  of  material  and  rise 
in  wages  as  a  consequence  of  the  lower  exchange  during  the  past  year 
as  against  the  previous  year  may  be  taken,  at  a  moderate  estimate,  at 
about  20  per  cent.  Traffic  receipts  since  the  beginning  of  January, 
1 '.»<):},  have  shown  a  steady  increase. 

Railroad  traffic  with  the  United  States. — According  to  statistics 
issued  by  the  Treasury  Department  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  the 
railway  traffic  across  the  Rio  Grande  between  Mexico  and  the  United 
States  during  the  fiscal  year  1902-3,  as  compared  with  1901-2,  was  as 
follows: 


United  States  to 
Mexico. 

Mexico  to  United 
States. 

Total  traffic. 

Freight 
cars. 

Merchan- 
dise. 

Freight 
cars. 

Merchan- 
dise. 

Fi  eight 
cars. 

Merchan- 
dise. 

1901-2  

37, 307 
37, 379 

Tons. 
517,749 
704,958 

14, 130 
18,737 

Tons. 

199, 276 
207,514 

51,437 
56, 116 

Tom. 

1902-3  

72 

187, 209 

4   007           us  ->:ts 

The  distribution  of  this  traffic  at  the  points  where  the  railways  cross 
the  Rio  Grande  on  the  frontier  line  was: 

Ciudad  Juarez. — 7,729  cars,  with  1*5,664  tons  of  merchandise,  from 
the  United  States  into  Mexico:  2,506  cars,  with  40,276  tons  of  mer- 
chandise, from  Mexico  into  the  United  States,  making  a  total  traffic  of 
10,235  cars,  with  163,940  tons  of  merchandise. 


344  mix  ico. 

( 'iudad  Porjirio  Diaz.— 9,182  cars,  with  138,371  tons  of  merchandise, 
from  the  United  States  into  Mexico;  8,386  cars,  with  23,236  tons  of 
merchandise,  from  Mexico  into  the  United  States;  total  traffic,  L7,235 
cars,  with  161,607  tone  of  nirrchandi.se. 

Laredo.  — 18,138  cars,  with  228,800  tons  of  merchandise,  from  the 
United  States  into  Mexico;  1.  304  cars,  with  ir>,74!»  tons  of  merchan- 
dise, from  Mexico  into  the  United  States;  total  traffic,  ID, 442  cars, 
with  244,549  tons  of  merchandise. 

Nbgales.  2,258  cars,  with  26,914  tons  of  merchandise,  from  the 
United  States  into  Mexico;  1,934  cars,  with  30,015  tons  of  merchandise, 
from  Mexico  into  the  United  States;  total  traffic,  4,192  cars,  with  56,929 
tons  of  merchandise. 

The  railway  traffic  across  the  frontier  in  the  three  fiscal  years  from 
1898-99  to  1900-1901  is  shown  in  the  following  statement: 

1898-99.—  Cars  from  the  United  States  into  Mexico.  32,305,  with 
4f;7.s:;'.i  tons  of  merchandise:  cars  from  Mexico  into  the  United  States, 
15,506,  with  288,412  tons  of  merchandise:  total  traffic,  47,811  cars. 
with  756,251  tons  of  merchandise. 

1899-1900.—  Cars  from  the  United  States  into  Mexico,  47,529,  with 
645,953  tons  of  merchandise;  cars  from  Mexico  into  the  United  States, 
24,471,  with  242,550  tons  of  merchandise;  total  traffic.  72,063  cars, 
with  888,503  tons  of  merchandise. 

1900-1901.— -Cars  from  the  United  States  into  Mexico,  38,629,  with 
535,640  tons  of  merchandise;  cars  from  Mexico  into  the  United  State-. 
20,368,  with  223,720  tons  of  merchandise;  total  traffic,  58,997  cars, 
with  759,360  tons  of  merchandise. 

RAILROAD   LAW. 

The  general  railroad  law  of  the  Republic,"  whereby  those  of  Decem- 
ber 2.'),  ls77.  and  December  1»'>.  1881— with  the  exception  of  those 
clauses  relating  to  the  acquirement  of  telegraph  and  telephone  lines 
by  the  Government — are  repealed,  was  promulgated  April  29,  1899. 
The  law,  which  is  one  of  considerable  length  and  containing  hi  chap- 
ters and  187  articles,  is  intended  to  cover  everything  connected  with 
the  granting  of  concessions,  each  concession  having  formerly  been  the 
occasion  of  a  special  law.  This  general  law  will  hereafter  apply  both 
to  new  concessions  and  to  those  previously  granted,  the  terms  of  which 
shall  not  conflict  with  the  law.  It  also  increases  the  difficulties  of 
obtaining  subsidized  concessions  and  emphasizes  the  control  exercised 
by  the  Government  over  companies. 

<*  For  the  convenience  of  persons  wishing  to  familiarize  themselves  with  the  full 
text  of  the  law,  it  is  kept  on  file,  both  in  Bpaihish  and  English,  at  the  Columbus 
.Memorial  Library,  International  Bureau  of  the  American  Republics. 


RATLROAD    LAW.  845 

Chapter  I  of  the  new  law  is  devoted  to  the  classification  of  railroads 
subject  to  the  Federation,  which  are  divided  into  two  classes,  viz: 

I.  General  routes  of  communication. 

II.  Routes  of  local  interest  in  the  Federal  District  and  in  the 
Territories. 

III.  Routes  of  local  interest  in  the  State. 

To  the  first  class  belong  those  connecting  two  or  more  States  or 
connecting  the  Federal  District  or  a  Territory  with  one  or  more 
States;  those  touching  at  a  port  or  at  some  point  on  the  coast  of  the 
Republic  or  at  some  point  on  the  border  line  with  a  foreign  State,  and 
those  running  wholly  or  in  part  within  a  zone  of  100  kilometers  from 
the  dividing  line  with  a  foreign  State. 

To  the  second  class  belong  the  railroad  lines  connecting  two  or  more 
towns  of  the  Federal  District  or  of  a  territory  with  one  another,  and 
those  which,  while  not  connecting  two  or  more  towns  by  entering  to 
their  center,  have  one  of  their  terminals  on  the  outskirts  of  a  town. 

Railroads  built  or  projected  within  the  territory  of  a  State,  whether 
under  a  State  concession  or  not,  shall  be  classed  as  routes  of  local 
interest  subject  to  the  Federation,  providing  that  the  concession  has 
been  granted  by  the  Federation,  or  that  a  subsidy,  exemption  from 
duties,  release  from  taxation,  or  any  other  aid  has  been  granted  by  the 
Federation. 

General  routes  of  communication  are  subdivided  into  lines  of  prime 
and  secondary  importance,  the  lines  of  prime  importance  being: 

I.  A  line  connecting  the  city  of  Chihuahua  with  a  port  on  the  coast 
of  Sonora  or  the  north  of  Sinaloa. 

II.  A  line  connecting  the  City  of  Mexico  with  a  port  in  the  State  of 
Guerrero. 

III.  A  line  connecting  the  Mexican  Railway  between  Orizaba  and 
Veracruz  with  the  Tehuantepec  Railroad. 

IV.  A  line  from  Guadalajara  to  Tepic  Mazatlan. 

V.  A  line  from  Guadalajara  or  some  other  point  and  the  Mexican 
Central  to  Colima  and  Manzanillo. 

VI.  A  line  connecting  the  Tehuantepec  National  Railroad  with  the 
frontier  of  Guatemala. 

VII.  A  line  connecting  the  Tehuantepec  Railroad  with  the  States  of 
Tabasco  and  Campeche. 

VIII.  Any  other  line  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Department  of 
Communications  and  Public  Works,  is  of  general  interest  and  its  con- 
struction an  urgent  necessit}',  provided  the  requirements  of  the  law 
are  complied  with. 

The  construction  of  railroads  subject  to  the  Federation  shall  be  car- 
ried out  by  corporations  or  private  individuals  under  concessions  to  be 
granted  by  the  Executive  of  the  Union,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  the 


346  mexioo. 

law.     Private  persons  tow  hom  concessions  are  granted  are  empowered 
to  form  companies,  the  same  rule  being  applicable  to  corporations. 

In  order  to  obtain  a  concession  for  the  construction  of  a  railroad  the 
petition  must  be  made  to  the  Department  of  Communications  and  Public 
Works,  Betting  forth  the  following  points: 

I.  The  terminals  of  the  road  and  the  intermediate  points  at  which  it 
touches,  cither  directly  or  by  mofins  of  branches. 

II.  The  period  within  which  the  survey  of  the  road  is  to  begin. 

III.  The  minimum  number  of  kilometers  to  he  built  annually. 

IV.  The  period  within  which  the  road  is  to  be  completed. 

Y\  The  schedule  of  maximum  rates  to  be  charged  for  the  transpor- 
tation of  passengers  and  merchandise,  for  express  and  baggage,  for 
telegraph  service,  and  for  the  use  of  the  track  by  other  line-. 

VI.  Any  other  facts  that  may  be  deemed  expedient. 

After  the  proposition  has  been  accepted,  with  the  modifications 
deemed  proper  by  the  Department  and  the  terms  of  the  contract  have 
been  agreed  upon,  the  applicant  shall  make  a  deposit  in  the  general 
Treasury  of  the  Federation  at  the  rate  of  $150  per  kilometer  in  securi- 
ties of  the  consolidated  public  debt.  If  tins  provision  is  not  complied 
with,  the  application  shall  be  regarded  as  having  been  withdrawn  and 
a  declaration  to  that  effect  shall  be  made  by  the  Department  of  Com- 
munications and  Public  Works,  without  subsequent  appeal. 

After  the  deposit  has  been  made  the  contract  will  be  signed  and 
made  public  in  the  "  Diario  Oficial,"  the  date  of  publication  being  the 
point  of  reekoning  for  all  periods  named  in  the  document,  unless  other- 
wise specified. 

Concessions  for  the  lines  of  prime  importance  which  have  not  been 
granted,  or  which  having  been  granted  shall  lapse  in  the  future,  can 
only  be  granted  to  the  companies  which,  besides  the  requirements 
already  expressed,  shall  present  proof  covering  the  following  points: 

I.  The  existence  of  the  company  and  its  organization  in  conformity 
with  the  laws  of  the  country  whence  the  document  in  regard  to  its 
organization  proceeds.  This  proof,  if  the  company  has  been  organ- 
ized in  the  Republic,  shall  be  furnished  by  means  of  a  certified  copy 
of  the  draft  (minuta)  of  the  articles  of  association,  which  shall  be  raised 
to  the  rank  of  a  public  instrument  in  case  the  concession  is  granted; 
and  if  the  company  has  Ween  organized  abroad,  by  the  presentation  of 
the  documents  required  by  article  24  of  the  Code  of  Commerce"  and 

"Article  L'4  of  the  Code  of  Commerce  provides  that  "foreign  companies  desirous 
<>f  establishing  themselves  or  their  branch  unices  in  the  Republic  shall  present  and 
tile  in  the  register's  office,  besides  the  proofs  of  the  protocolization  of  their  statutes, 
contracts,  ami  other  documents  referring  to  their  organization,  their  inventory  or  last 
balance  sheets,  it"  they  have  any,  and  a  certificate  showing  that  such  companies  have 
heel)  duly  organized  and  authorized  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  their  respective 
countries.  This  certificate  must  he  L'iveii  by  the  Mexican  minister  residing  at  the 
respective  places,  and  in  his  absence,  by  the  Mexican  consul. 


RAILROAD    LAW.  347 

in  case  the  concession  is  granted  such  documents  need  only  to  be  pro- 
tocolized,  registered,  and  stamped. 

II.  That  the  company  has,  either  on  hand  or  assured,  the  subscrip- 
tion and  payment  of  the  capital  necessary  for  the  survey  of  the  land, 
the  [(reparation  of  plans,  and  the  fulfillment  of  the  obligations  set 
forth  in  the  law. 

If  the  proposition  is  accepted,  the  procedure  shall  be  as  stated  above, 
but  the  deposits  shall  be  at  the  rate  of  $200  per  kilometer  in  securities 
of  thetonsolidated  public  debt. 

The  construction  of  other  lines  shall  be  subject  to  bids,  as  provided 
by  law. 

Railroad  concessions  carry  with  them  the  following  rights: 

I.  The  right  to  construct  the  railroad. 

II.  The  right  to  build  a  telegraph  and  telephone  line. 

III.  The  right  to  exploit  the  railroad  and  the  telegraph  or  telephone 
line  for  the  entire  period  of  the  concession. 

The  telegraph  or  telephone  line  built  under  the  concession  can  only 
be  exploited  for  the  service  of  the  road,  of  passengers  traveling 
thereon,  and  of  shippers  or  consignees  of  freight  on  matters  connected 
with  their  business  with  the  road.  The  telegraph  line  can  not  be  oper- 
ated in  any  other  manner  nor  on  other  service,  except  with  the  authori- 
zation of  the  Department  of  Communications  and  Public  Works,  which 
at  all  times  shall  have  the  right  to  revoke  the  authorization  granted. 

The  system  of  traction  to  be  used  shall  be  set  forth  in  the  concession. 

Railroads  constructed  within  the  territory  of  a  State  and  not  com- 
ing under  either  of  the  classes  mentioned  shall,  from  the  moment  they 
join  or  connect  with  a  road  under  the  Federation,  become  subject  to 
all  Federal  laws  and  regulations,  as  provided  b}T  law. 

The  deposit  that  is  made  guarantees  the  performance  of  the  obliga- 
tions contracted  by  the  concessionaire,  and  shall  be  returned  to  him 
when  all  the  works  covered  by  the  concession  have  been  completed. 
Until  such  time  as  the  deposit  is  returned,  and  unless  it  has  been  for- 
feited, the  interest  coupons  shall  belong  and  shall  be  delivered  to  the 
concessionaire. 

Concessions  may  be  transferred  wholly  or  in  part  to  other  companies 
or  individuals,  with  the  consent  of  the  Department  of  Communications 
and  Public  Works,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  law. 

Under  no  circumstances  can  the  company  transfer,  mortgage,  or  in 
any  other  manner  dispose  of  a  concession  or  any  of  the  rights  which 
it  carries,  or  of  any  of  the  property  or  belongings  connected  with  said 
line,  to  a  foreign  Government  or  State,  and  any  sale,  assignment,  trans- 
fer, or  mortgage  infringing  this  rule  shall  be  null  and  void.  A  com- 
pany may  not  allow  a  foreign  Government  or  State  to  become  a  part- 
ner, and  any  agreement  infringing  this  rule  shall  likewise  be  null  and 
void.     All  shares,  securities,  or   bonds  issued  by  the  company  and 


348  MEXICO. 

acquired  by  a  foreign  Government  or  State  shall,  from  the  moment  of 
such  acquisition,  be  deprived  <>f  all  force  and  value  for  their  holder 
who  shall  forfeit  to  the  nation  all  the  rights  attached  to  such  shares, 
securities,  or  bonds. 

Concessions  for  railroad  Lines  shall  not  be  granted  lor  a  term  exceed- 
ing ninety-nine  years.  At  the  close  of  thi>  period  the  railroad,  with 
all  its  appurtenances,  shall  pass,  in  good  condition  and  free  from  all 
incumbrance,  into  the  control  of  the  nation;  but  the  Government  must 
purchase  the  rolling  stock,  appliances,  chattels,  and  equipment  that 
may  lie  necessary  to  continue  the  operation  of  the  road,  paying  in  cash 
the  price  of  valuation  by  appraisers  appointed  as  provided  by  the  law. 
The  Government  shall  be  entitled  to  the  earnings  of  the  railroad  dur- 
ing the  five  years  preceding  the  date  of  the  reversion,  to  he  employed 
for  the  benefit  of  the  road  in  case  the  company  fails  to  comply  with 
the  provisions  regarding  its  transfer  in  good  condition. 

No  railroad  concession  implies  a  monopoly  for  the  benefit  of  the 
concessionaire,  but  a  stipulation  may  be  introduced  into  concessions 
to  the  effect  that  within  ten  years  no  other  concession  shall  be  granted 
for  a  line  parallel  to  the  former,  wholly  or  in  part  within  a  territory 
of  a  width  to  be  determined  on  both  sides  of  the  road,  or  that  no  sub- 
sidy, exemption  from  taxes,  or  other  franchises  shall  be  allowed  to 
lines  for  the  construction  of  which  within  said  territory  a  concession 
may  be  granted. 

The  Executive  of  the  Union,  in  compliance  with  this  law.  may  at  all 
times  and  in  concert  or  under  an  agreement  with  the  companies,  add 
t<».  modify,  or  rescind  existing  railroad  concessions. 

A  concession  shall  lapse  for  any  of  the  following  reasons: 

I.  Failure  to  commence  the  surveys  within  the  time  specilied. 

II.  Failure  to  construct,  in  a  year,  the  number  of  kilometers 
required  by  the  concession,  or  to  complete  the  line  within  the  period 
allowed  by  said  concession. 

III.  The  total  or  partial  interruption  of  the  public  service  of  the 
road,  save  in  the  case  of  fortuitous  or  unforeseen  circumstances,  as 
defined  by  law. 

IV.  The  sale  of  the  concession  or  of  any  of  the  rights  granted  by  it 
to  a  company  or  individual,  without  the  previous  consent  of  the 
Department  of  Communications  and  Public  Works. 

V.  The  transfer,  sale,  or  mortgage  of  the  concession,  or  of  any  of 
the  rights  com  eyed,  or  any  of  the  properties  attached  thereto,  to  a 
foreign  Government  or  State,  or  the  admission  of  such  a  partner  in 
the  enterprise. 

In  order  that  the  circumstance  may  be  declared  to  be  fortuitous,  the 
company  must  present  to  the  Department  of  Communications  and  Pub- 
lic Works,  within  three  months  from  the  occurrence,  a  written  state- 
ment, detailing  the  event  and  showing  proof  thereof,  as  provided  by 


RAILROAD    LAW.  349 

the  law.  The  Department  of  Communications  and  Public  Works,  in 
view  of  the  company's  statement,  shall  decide  whether  or  not  the  con- 
cession is  thereby  forfeited.  If  the  decision  rendered  is  in  favor  of 
the  company,  an  extension  of  time,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Govern- 
ment, shall  be  allowed  in  which  the  company  may  fulfill  the  obligations 
entailed  by  the  concession. 

The  concessionaires  are  entitled  to  enter  into  contracts  with  other 
individuals  or  companies  for  the  construction  of  the  road,  but  these 
contracts  shall  have  no  recognition  from  the  nation  until  they  are  sub- 
mitted to  the  examination  and  approval  of  the  Department  of  Com- 
munications and  Public  Works.  Failure  to  comply  with  this  does 
not  entail  a  forfeiture  of  the  concession,  but  the  constructing  com- 
pany and  the  concessionaire  shall  be  considered  as  one  and  the  same 
for  all  legal  purposes  connected  with  the  nation;  and  for  all  such  pur- 
poses, as  well  as  for  all  business  appertaining  to  the  construction  of 
the  road  and  the  concession  in  which  the  nation  has  an  interest,  only 
the  original  concessionaire  shall  be  recognized. 

Whenever  a  concession  if  forfeited,  the  concessionaire  shall  lose  his 
deposit,  which  reverts  to  the  nation.  When  the  concession  is  for- 
feited for  any  of  the  causes  mentioned  in  Paragraphs  I  and  II,  above, 
the  company  shall  preserve  the  right  of  ownership  of  the  buildings  it 
may  have  erected,  the  portion  of  the  railroad  and  telepragh  line  it  may 
have  built,  and  to  the  materials,  machinery,  and  utensils  employed  in 
the  operation  of  the  road,  according  to  the  law. 

In  the  event  of  the  public  service  of  a  railroad  being  interrupted, 
wholly  or  partially,  the  Department  of  Communications  and  Public 
Works  shall,  at  once  and  at  the  expense  of  the  company,  take  steps  to 
assure  its  continuance  provisionally,  as  provided  by  this  law.  In  the 
event  of  forfeiture  for  the  cause  mentioned  in  Paragraph  IV,  the  com- 
pany shall  lose  the  right  to  operate  the  railroad,  telegraph,  and  tele- 
phone line,  the  Government  succeeding  to  that  right  and  entering  into 
possession  of  the  line  and  its  appurtenances,  a  receiver  being  appointed, 
as  provided  by  the  Code  of  Commerce,  and  the  operation  of  the  line 
continued  under  Government  auspices.  The  next  step  will  be  the 
judicial  sale,  at  public  auction,  of  the  property  mentioned,  and  the 
Executive  shall  determine  the  conditions  under  which  the  sale  is  to 
take  place. 

In  the  case  of  forfeiture  for  the  cause  mentioned  in  Paragraph  V, 
the  company  shall  forfeit  to  the  nation  the  portion  of  the  road  already 
constructed,  but  the  nation  will  be  liable  for  the  mortgage  and  other 
debts  contracted  prior  to  the  declaration  of  forfeiture,  to  an  extent 
proportionate  to  the  value  of  the  property.  Within  six  months  from 
the  time  that  the  Executive  takes  possession  of  the  property,  it  shall 
decide  whether  the  nation  shall  assume  the  responsibility  mentioned 
and  undertake  the  administration  of  the  road. 


850  MEXICO. 

The  declaration  <>t'  forfeiture  shall  be  made  through  the  administra- 
tive channel  by  the  Executive,  after  the  company  lias  been  heard,  for 

which  purpose  it  shall  be  allowed  a  specific  period  to  give  such  expla- 
nation as  may  be  deemed  pertinent.  At  the  expiration  of  this  period, 
the  Executive  shall,  if  deemed  necessary,  make  further  inquiries  and 
announce  its  decision.  A>  soon  as  the  concession  <»!'  a  railroad  is 
declared  to  have  been  forfeited  all  the  privileges  and  exemptions 
granted  by  the  concessions  shall  cease. 

A  declaration  of  forfeiture  can  only  he  contested  before  the  courts 
for  one  of  the  following  reasons: 

I.  That  the  reason  adduced  does  not  constitute  a  legal  ground  for  a 
declaration  of  forfeiture. 

II.  That  the  fact  or  omission  adduced  as  a  reason  for  forfeiture  is 
not  as  stated. 

If  the  declaration  of  forfeiture  is  not  contested  before  a  competent 
court  within  the  period  of  one  month  from  its  communication  to  the 
company,  it  will  he  assumed  that  the  company  acquiesces  in  the  deci- 
sion of  forfeiture,  and  no  further  action  will  be  taken. 

Railroads  may,  in  the  concessions,  be  divided  into  several  section-, 
so  that  the  forfeiture  of  some  will  not  affect  the  continuance  of  others, 
and  each  section  between  its  terminal  points  must  be  considered  as  a 
separate  line,  to  he  operated  independently. 

In  eases  where  there  is  no  ground  for  a  declaration  of  forfeiture, 
hut  where  there  i-  sufficient  ground  for  annulment  of  the  concession, 
the  deposit  above  mentioned  shall  be  forfeited,  but  during  the  suit, 
and  until  the  final  sentence  of  annulment  is  rendered,  the  company 
shall  continue  to  enjoy  all  the  rights  appertaining  to  it  under  the  con- 
cession, without  detriment  to  provisional  and  precautionary  measures, 
when,  according  to  law.  there  is  occasion  for  them. 

A-  regards  the  nationality  and  legal  status  of  companies,  those  whose 
object  is  to  construct  or  to  operate,  or  to  construct  and  operate  a  rail- 
road, may  be  organized  in  the  Mexican  Republic  or  abroad;  but  under 
all  circumstances  such  companies  shall  lie  regarded  as  Mexican,  even 
though  the  entire  organization  is  foreign.  Said  companies  shall  he 
subject  to  the  courts  of  the  Republic,  whether  Federal  or  local,  in  all 
matters  coming  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  courts,  and  foreigners 
and  their  successors  who  shall  be  interested  either  as  shareholders. 
employees,  or  in  any  other  capacity,  shall  in  all  cases  be  regarded  as 
Mexicans  in  so  far  as  the  companies'  affairs  are  concerned.  On  no 
pretext  whatever  may  right-  as  foreigners  be  urged  with  respect  to 
titles  (tittdos)  and  affairs  connected  with  the  companies,  and  only  such 
rights  and  the  means  of  enforcing  them  shall  be  enjoyed  as  are  granted 
by  the  Mexican  law  to  citizens  of  the  Republic;  consequently  foreign 
diplomatic  agents  may  not  interfere  in  any  way. 

Companies  shall  have  <>ne  or  more  attorneys  in  the  capital  of  the 


RAILROAD    LAW.  351 

Republic,  who  shall  be  empowered  to  deal  with  the  Federal  authori- 
ties and  other  public  officers  in  all  matters  relating  to  the  concessions, 
but  the  headquarters  of  all  companies  shall  be  at  the  town  named  in 
the  concessions,  this,  however,  not  preventing  the  establishment  of 
agencies  in  different  parts  of  the  country  or  abroad. 

In  cases  when  the  board  of  directors  of  railroad  companies  reside 
abroad,  a  local  board,  resident  at  the*  headquarters  of  the  company 
within  the  Republic,  or  at  such  place  as  shall  be  designated  in  the 
concession,  shall  be  appointed,  which  board  shall  be  regarded  as  part 
of  the  board  of  directors. 

For  the  issuance  of  shares  and  bonds,  the  following  rules  shall  be 
observed: 

I.  After  the  plans  and  profiles  have  been  drawn  up,  an  estimate  shall 
be  made  on  the  cost  of  the  entire  work. 

II.  On  the  basis  of  that  estimate  and  of  the  rights  of  the  concession- 
aire, the  capital  in  shares  and  bonds  shall  be  determined  with  the 
approval  of  the  Government. 

III.  The  provisions  of  the  foregoing  paragraph  do  not  prevent, 
pending  the  preparation  of  the  estimates,  the  issuance  of  shares  and 
bonds  or  the  acquisition  of  funds  b}T  any  other  means  for  the  construc- 
tion of  the  road. 

IV.  The  amount  of  the  capital  in  shares  and  bonds  may  be  increased, 
even  after  the  preparation  of  the  estimate  and  after  the  capital  has 
been  fixed,  provided  that  the  necessities  of  construction  or  operation 
require  it. 

V.  The  right  to  issue  shares  and  bonds  does  not  imply  that  b}r  these 
means  alone  the  company  may  obtain  funds,  as  to  that  end  all  legal 
methods  ma}r  be  employed. 

VI.  The  company  is  obliged  to  inform  the  Department  of  Com- 
munications and  Public  Works  of  all  the  steps  taken  and  all  the 
contracts  entered  into  pursuant  to  the  rights  conferred  on  it  by  this 
article. 

All  contracts  entered  into  abroad  are  subject  to  the  laws  of  the 
Republic,  as  provided  by  this  law.  Contracts  for  the  acquisition  of 
material  for  the  equipment  of  the  railroad  and  rolling  stock  are 
subject  to  special  regulations. 

Railroads,  being  works  of  public  utility,  are  in  consequence  entitled 
to  condemn  (expropriate)  land  and  construction  material  belonging  to 
private  individuals  which  may  be  necessary  for  the  establishment  and 
repair  of  the  road  and  its  appurtenances,  stations,  and  other  annexes. 
This,  however,  does  not  include  the  right  of  condemnation  of  water 
rights,  without  special  authorization  in  each  case  by  the  Executive. 
The  process  of  condemnation  is  subject  to  certain  regulations,  as 
prescribed  by  the  law. 

In  the  matter  of  franchise's  and  exemptions  granted  to  concession- 


:;.v_'  mexii  o. 

aires,  the  law  provides  that  foreign  capital  employed  in  the  construc- 
tion and  operation  of  railways,  and  the  loans  contracted  for  that  pur- 
pose, be  placed  under  the  guardianship  of  the  nation  and  arc  exempt 
from  reprisal,  confiscations,  and  attachment-  in  case  <>f  war.  The 
capital  and  property  of  a  railroad  company  shall  be  exempt  from  all 
Federal    and    local    taxation    save    the    stamp    tax,    provided    they   are 

applied  directly  to  the  purposes  set  forth  in  the  concession.  The  -tamp 
tax  applies  only  to  the  documents,  acts,  contracts,  and  transactions  to 
which  the  company  is  a  party.  The  general  routes  of  communication. 
their  appurtenances,  the  capital,  shares,  bonds,  etc.  employed,  shall 
at  no  time  be  taxable  b}T  the  States  of  the  Federation. 

A  company  may  import,  free  of  all  import  and  custom  due-,  all 
fixed  material  for  the  line,  rolling  stock,  telegraphic  material-,  car-, 
etc..  necessary  in  the  construction  and  operation  of  the  line,  also  for 
maintenance  and  repair-  of  the  railroad  and  telegraph  line,  for  a  period 
not  exceeding  live  years,  said  articles  also  being  exempt  from  all  taxes, 
whether  Federal  or  local,  for  a  like  period.  If  any  of  these  materials 
shall  be  sold  or  applied  to  other  use-,  the  Department  of  Finance  shall 
exact  the  payment  of  the  duties,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  the  law. 

The  lines  of  prime  importance  may  be  subsidized;  and  in  certain 
cases,  a-  provided  by  law.  other  lines  also.  Subsidies  shall  be  subject 
to  the  following  ride-: 

I.  No  subsidies  for  the  construction  of  railroads  shall  be  granted 
when  the  payment  of  -aid  subsidies  can  not  be  covered  by  the  budget 
appropriations  available  for  that  purpose,  except  in  the  cases  pro- 
vided by  law. 

II.  The  subsidy  .-hall  be  paid  witli  respect  to  sections  of  at  least 
LOO  kilometers,  constructed  and  accepted  by  the  Department  of  Com- 
munications and  Public  Works,  in  the  amount  and  according  to  the 
conditions  to  be  determined  in  each  particular  case,  except  that  if 
when  the  line  is  completed  it-  last  section  measures  less  than  LOO 
kilometers  the  amount  appertaining  to  that  section  shall  be  paid  upon 
it-  completion. 

III.  The  subsidy  -hall  lie  paid  in  bonds  of  the  public  debt,  the 
Executive  reserving  the  right  of  deciding  in  each  case  in  which  of  the 
two  following  forms  payment  is  to  be  effected: 

(</)  In  5  per  cent  bonds  of  the  redeemable  debt. 

(5)  In  bonds  of  other  descriptions,  according  to  the  conditions  and 
terms  to  be  determined. 

Land  belonging  to  the  nation  and  needed  by  the  company  shall, 
with  the  approval  of  the  Executive,  be  made  over  to  the  company 
without  any  payment  whatever.  The  company  shall  also  be  entitled, 
under  the  same  condition-,  to  take  from  lands  belonging  to  the  nation 
and  from  its  rivers,  all  materials  that  may  be  necessary  for-  the  con- 
struction, operation,  and  repair  of  the  road  and  its  appurtenances,  but 


RAILROAD    LAW.  353 

in  taking  out  such  material  the  company  is  subject  to  the  laws  and 
regulations  bearing  upon  the  case. 

If  the  road  terminal  be  at  a  seaport  the  company  shall  be  entitled  to 
build  one  or  more  wharves,  subject  to  the  rules  and  conditions  deter- 
mined in  the  concession.  Deposits  and  other  mineral  substances  which, 
according  to  the  mining  law,  do  not  belong  to  the  owner  of  the  soil, 
and  which  may  be  found  during  the  construction  of  a  railroad,  shall 
be  the  property  of  the  company,  provided  it  is  denounced  within  three 
months  from  the  date  of  discovery. 

Officials  and  employees  of  railroad  lines  are  exempt  from  military 
service,  except  in  case  of  foreign  war. 

Railroads  shall  be  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
the  railway  ordinances  now  in  force  or  to  be  issued  in  the  future. 

The  policy  of  a  road,  as  expressed  in  its  laws  and  regulations,  shall 
provide  suitable  measures  for  its  maintenance  and  safet}r,  but  no  rail- 
road can  be  put  into  operation  without  having  been  previously  inspected 
as  provided  by  the  ordinances,  and  accepted  by  the  Department  of 
Communications  and  Public  Works. 

The  tariffs  of  railroad  transportation  shall  include  the  rates  for  which 
transportation  shall  be  effected,  and  the  conditions  according  to  which 
companies  bind  themselves  to  perform  this  service  according  to  the 
provisions  of  the  law.  General  regulations  governing  the  transport 
of  passengers  and  freight,  and  the  liability  of  railroad  companies  for 
possible  damages  sustained  thereb}r,  are  fully  covered  by  Chapter  VII 
of  the  law.  In  return  for  the  concession  to  construct  railroads  the 
nation  reserves  certain  privileges  or  rights,  touching  reduced  tariff 
rates  for  the  transportation  of  colonists  and  immigrants,  employees, 
agents,  and  officials  traveling  on  public  business;  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  troops,  ammunition,  etc. ;  the  transmission  of  telegraph  mes- 
sages; the  free  transport  of  mail  and  mail  officials;  the  use  of  special 
trains  at  anytime,  and  certain  other  privileges  as  set  forth  in  the  law. 

On  all  railroads  the  Executive  possesses  the  right  of  inspection, 
exercised  either  directly  by  means  of  the  Department  of  Communi- 
cations and  Public  Works  or  by  means  of  special  agents. 

Any  infringement  of  this  law  is  punishable  by  a  fine  of  from  $20  to 
$2,000  and  imprisonment,  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  case. 

The  law  also  defines  what  is  considered  a  crime  or  a  fraud  against 
propert}r  and  prescribes  the  consequent  penalties. 

The  railroads  dependent  on  the  Federation  are  subject  exclusively 
to  the  Federal  powers,  the  legislative,  executive,  and  judicial  branches 
having  each  their  respective  jurisdictions.  Questions  which  may 
arise  concerning  the  interpretation  or  fulfillment  of  concessions  or  of 
any  of  the  stipulations  contained  therein,  shall  be  decided  by  compe- 
tent tribunals  of  the  Republic  and  by  the  civil  code  of  the  Federal 
District. 

509a— 04 23 


354  mkxioo. 

TEI/KOKAl'IIS    AND    TELEPHONES. 

The  great  difference  in  the  relativecost  of  construction  of  telegraph 
and  railway  Lines  may  undoubtedly  be  considered  us  the  reason  of  the 
more  extended  development  of  the  former  means  of  oommunication. 
In  L877,  Federal  telegraph  lines  measured  7,927  kilometers;  in  L892, 
35,500  kilometers  hud  been  built,  while  in  L896,  a  network  of  lines 
15,000  kilometers  in  length  traversed  the  Republic  under  Govern- 
ment control.  At  the  present  time  there  is  riot's.  State  capital  nor 
any  fairly  important  town  which  does  not  enjoy  the  benefit  of  tele- 
graphic communication  with  the  outside  world. 

In  Mexico,  this  branch  of  public  service  is  divided  into  four  classes: 
Federal  telegraph  lines,  railroad  telegraphs,  lines  belonging  to  pri- 
vate parties,  and  those  which  are  State  property.  On  June  1.  L891, 
the  Federal  service  was  organized  into  2<>  district-  {zonas\  each  under 
the  immediate  supervision  of  an  inspector,  the  total  number  of  offices 
being  2N0  and  the  extent  of  lines  29,305  kilometers.  About  the  same 
time  the  Government  purchased  the  Jalisco  line,  2,514  kilometers  in 
extent,  making  a  total  of  31,819  kilometers.  On  December  31,  L902, 
according  to  the  latest  available  official  data.  Mexico  had  21  Federal 
telegraphic  belts  besides  the  Federal  District,  with  405  offices  and  a 
total  length  of  line  measuring  50,125  kilometers,  the  entire  telegraph 

system  at  that  time  being  as  follows: 

Ellometera. 

Federal  lines 60, 125. 000 

State  lines 5,  70S.  968 

Private  lines 3,  942.  725 

Railroad  lines 12,  036.  000 

Total 71,  812.  693 

These  figures  also  embrace  13  Federal  telephone  lines,  measuring 
326.22  kilometers.     There  are  710  kilometers  of  Federal  cable. 

In  his  message  to  the  Mexican  Congress,  President  Diaz,  under  date 
April  1,  1903,  makes  the  following  statement  in  regard  to  telegraphic 
development: 

■•Telegraphic  correspondence  has  continued  to  increase  daily  with 
very  favorable  pecuniary  results.  In  the  first  half  of  the  present 
fiscal  year  not  only  was  the  progressive  increase  in  earnings  main- 
tained, but  it  exceeded  expectations  in  a  very  gratifying  manner. 
This  increase  in  business  has  led  to  the  adoption  of  certain  special 
measures  by  the  Executive,  chief  among  which  may  be  mentioned  the 
laying  of  a  federal  submarine  cable  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Six  new 
telegraph  offices  have  been  opened  and  l.'ll  kilometers  of  new  line 
strung,  one  of  which  was  erected  for  the  purpose  of  placing  the  impor- 
tant mining  camp  of  Cananea  in  rapid  communication  with  the  rest  of 
the  country.  The  question  of  wireless  telegraphy  has  also  received 
serious  attention.     Two  stations  of  the  system  that  so  far  has  produced 


TELEGRAPH    LINES. 


155 


the  best  results  in  Europe  were  purchased,  one  being  erected  near 
Gruaymas,  Sonora,  and  the  other  at  Santa  Rosalia,  Lower  California. 
Sufficiently  satisfactory  experiments  have  been  made  with  them.  In 
order  to  facilitate  telegraphic  communication  with  foreign  countries, 
the  Mexican  system  has  been  connected  with  that  of  the  United  States 
at  Eagle  Pass,  thus  giving  four  telegraphic  connections  along  the 
northern  border  of  the  Republic.  In  the  interior  the  use  of  the  long- 
distance telephone  has  been  encouraged  and  developed,  and  for  this 
purpose  contracts  have  been  made  for  the  operation  of  this  service  in 
combination  with  private  concerns." 

In  a  similar  document  of  later  date,  September  16,  1903,  the  same 
authority  states:  "With  respect  to  the  overhead  telegraphs,  600  kilo- 
meters of  new  lines  in  various  directions  have  been  strung  and  four 
new  offices  have  been  opened. 

"The  experiments  in  wireless  telegraphy  between  Guaymas  and 
Santa  Rosalia  produced  results  which,  though  inferior  to  those  obtained 
by  ordinary  systems,  were  sufficiently  acceptable  to  induce  the  Gov- 
ernment to  utilize  the  new  method  of  communication  for  a  portion  of 
its  official  service  and  even  to  throw  it  open  to  the  public  on  trial. 

"  The  telegrams  dispatched  during  last  fiscal  }Tear  exceeded  3,000,000, 
and  the  cash  returns  from  this  source  were  20  per  cent  more  than 
those  of  the  preceding  period." 

State  lines.- — The  State  telegraph  lines  in  1902  were  as  follows, 
according  to  Mexican  official  data: 


Total 

length 

(kilometers). 


Chihuahua 

Durango 

Guerrero 

Hidalgo 

Mexico 

Michoacan 

Morelos 

Oaxaca  

San  Luis  Potosi 

Sinaloa 

Sonora 

Tamaulipas 

Territory  of  Lower  California 

Yucatan 

Zacatecas 

Total 


200.000 
50.400 
16. 760 

1,003.000 
293. 800 

1,190.030 
195. 845 
266. 000 
217. 000 
134. 080 
50.000 
332.000 
153. 000 
140. 000 

1,467.053 


5, 708. 968 


/'/■/' r*/f<-  lines. — The  number  of  private  lines  for  the  same  period  was 
22,  with  28  offices,  measuring  in  all  1,018  kilometers  393  meters,  while 
the  cable  lines  comprised  2,925  kilometers  832  meters,  as  follows: 

Submarine  cable:  Meters. 

Tampico  to  Galveston 791,  783 

Tampieo  to  Veracruz 395,  891 

Veracruz  to  Coatzacoalcos 207, 601 

SalinaCruz  to  La  Libertad 698,442 

2, 093,  717 


356  MEXICO. 

Land  line:  m.  -^ 

Mexico  i"  Veracrcus 42w,  687 

Coatzacoalcos  to  Salina  Cruz 402, 328 

©2,015 

T(  .tal 2.  925,  832 

The  railroad  telegraph  lines  were  divided  a->  follow-: 

Kilometers. 

Ferrocarri]  Mexicano  de  Veracruz 517 

Ferrocarri]  Nacional  de  Mexico 1,441 

Ferrocarri]  Central  Mexicano 4,  ">74 

Ferrocanil  [nternaciona]  Mexicano 1,441 

Ferrocarril  Mexicano  <lel  Sur 447 

Ferrocarri]  Interoceanico 1,022 

Ferrocarril  Mexico,  Cuernavaca  y  Pacffico 293 

Ferrocarril  Mexicano  del  Norte 125 

Ferrocarril  Nacional  de  Tehuantepec 414 

Ferrocarril  <le  Veracruz  ;i  Alvarado 70 

1-erri tcarril  de  Sonora 431 

Ferrocarril  de  la  Compafna  Constructors  Nacional  Mexicans 119 

Ferrocarril  de  Vanegas,  Cedral,  Matehuala  y  Rio  Verde 66 

Ferrocarril  de  San  Marcos  a  Tecolutla 126 

Ferrocarril  de  Chihuahua  al  Pacffico 200 

Ferrocarril  <le  Tlacotepec  a  Buajuapan 70 

Ferrocarril  de  Tolnca  ;i  Tenango 30 

Fern icarril  de  Esperanza  al  Xuchil 25 

Ferrocarril  de  <  ruanajuato  a  Dolores  Hidalgo  y  San  Luis  de  la  Paz 18 

Ferrocarril  de  Coahuila  a  Zacatecae 126 

Ferrocarril  <le  Ixtlahuaca  :i  Main' 35 

Ferrocarril  de  Rfo  <  irande,  Sierra  Mad  re  y  Pacffico 250 

Ferrocarri]  del  Cazadero  :i  Soli's 36 

Ferrocarril  de  Sierra  Pinta  a  la  haln'a  de  San  Jorge 19 

Ferrocarril  de  Tenango  a  Santa  Maria 5 

Ferrocarri]  de  Naco  ;i  Cananea H4 

Ferrocarri]  de  Ban  Bartolo  y  Rfo  Verde 42 

Total 12,  036 

Of  late  years  the  Federal  Government  has  leased  certain  lines  of  its 
telegraph  system  to  30  different  States,  thereby  saving  the  operating 
expenses  of  the  lines  without  detriment  to  the  public  service. 

The  Republic  is  connected  by  telegraph  with  both  Guatemala  and 
the  United  States,  and  in  December.  1*97.  the  President  of  Mexico 
approved  and  proclaimed  a  contract  between  his  Government  and  the 
Western  Union  Telegraph  ( lompany  and  the  Mexican  Telegraph  (cable) 
Company,  both  of  which  are  American  corporations,  whereby  commu- 
nication by  wire  between  Mexico  and  foreign  countries  is  to  be  carried 
on  solely  by  means  of  the  Federal  telegraph  system,  in  connection  with 
those  of  the  companies  named.  By  the  terms  of  the  contract  the 
Mexican  Telegraph  Company  binds  itself  to  pay  to  the  Mexican  Gov- 
ernment 15  per  cent  of  its  annual  profits,  derived  both  from  land  and 
cable  lines,  it  being  further  guaranteed  by  the  company  that  said  15 


MAIL    SERVICE.  357 

per  cent  shall  not  amount  to  less  than  $20,000  gold  per  annum  during 
the  term  of  the  contract. 

The  number  of  telegraphic  messages  sent  annually  has  steadily 
increased  from  1,101,916  in  1891-92  to  1,865,303  in  1897,  and  to 
2,866,116  in  1902,  there  being  1,976,106  private  and  889,710  official 
telegrams  sent  over  all  lines  during  the  }Tear. 

Telephone*. — Telephone  service  throughout  the  country  is  excellent 
and  daily  improving.  On  December  31,  1902,  according  to  the 
"Anuario  Estadistico,,,  for  the  same  period,  the  total  extent  of  the 
State  and  railroad  telephonic  system  measured  10,657  kilometers  190 
meters,  divided  as  follows: 

Meters. 

State  lines 38, 918,  719 

Railroad  lines 1,  738,  771 

MAIL  SERVICE. 

The  Mexican  Government  has  spared  no  effort  to  add,  in  every  way 
possible,  to  the  efficiency  of  the  postal  service  of  the  Republic,  and  at 
times  this  has  been  a  very  onerous  task.  In  1885  the  Government 
was  confronted  with  a  large  disproportion  between  the  receipts  and 
expenditures  in  the  service,  being  indebted  in  large  amounts  to  pub- 
lishers of  periodicals/'  mail  contractors,  and  to  nations  with  which 
Mexico  had  accounts  connected  with  the  transport  of  mail  matter. 
These  debts  have  all  been  paid  up  and  the  service  is  to-day  in  a  flourish- 
ing condition,  and,  though  not  a  source  of  revenue  to  the  treasury,  is  at 
least  able  to  pa}T  its  own  expenses. 

Prior  to  1877  there  were  throughout  the  entire  Republic  but  53 
central  and  269  branch  post-offices;  in  1887  the  number  had  risen  to 
313  and  685,  respectively;  in  1891,  to  183  and  971;  in  1895,  to  175  and 
971.  In  1897  the  service  was  represented  b}^  523  central  stations,  1,091 
branch  offices,  and  19  substations,  and  in  the  year  1902  by  2,207  post- 
offices,  as  follows:  Central  stations,  691;  branch  offices,  36,  and  1,177 
substations. 

The  compilation  of  regular  postal  statistics  in  the  Republic  dates 
from  1893-91,  the  basis  of  which  was  the  postal  movement  of  a  month 
of  28  days  multiplied  by  13,  the  result  not  giving  correct  figures. 
Mexican  figures  show  that  the  number  of  pieces  of  mail  matter  handled 
by  the  postal  authorities  of  the  country  amounted  in  1878-79  to 
5,992,611;  in  1888-89,  to  27,129,081;  in  1892,  to  122,821,359,  while  in 
1891-95  the  number  is  given  as  21,773,636  only.  This  apparent  fall- 
ing off  is  due  to  the  fact  that  in  the  years  preceding  1891—95  the  entire 
postal  movement,  that  is,  mail  matter  received  and  sent  out,  was 
included  in  the  estimate,  while  for  the  latter  period  only  such  matter 
as  was  sent  out  was  reckoned. 


a  Under  the  Mexican  regulations  postmasters  act  as  collectors  of  subscriptions  and 
advertising  bills,  etc.,  due  the  publishers  of  newspapers. 


358 


MEXICO. 


From  L891  to   L 902  the   movement   of  mail  matter  of  all   kinds  has 

been  as  follows: 

pii . 

18 112,840,890 

■  < 129,  556,  56] 

L899-1900 134,631,009 

1900-1901 148,086,513 

1901-2 156, 518,  498 

President  Diaz  in  his  message  to  Congress  April  1.  L903,  make-  the 
following  statement  in  regard  to  the  postal  service: 

"During  the  first  half  of  the  present  fiscal  year  5  local  post-offices, 
37  agencies,  1  branch  office,  and  4  ambulatory  offices  were  created, 
giving  a  total  of  2,254  offices.  The  circulation  of  postal  matter  of  all 
kinds  amounted  to  77,<>00,000  pieces,  against  74,000,000  pieces  during 
the  same  period  of  the  previous  year.  The  interior  postal  drafts 
issued  totaled  $19,000,000,  against  $16,000,000  in  the  corresponding 
period  of  the  previous  }Tear.  The  service  of  international  drafts  with 
the  United  States  totaled  $457,000  Mexican.  Drafts  collected  and 
paid  to  publishers  amounted  to  §213,000,  against  $21  L,000  during  the 
corresponding  period  of  the  preceding  year.  The  general  earnings  of 
the  post-of live  were  £l,32o,ooo,  against  Si.  15*5,000  during  the  corre- 
sponding period  of  the  previous  year." 

The  operations  of  the  mail  service  dining  the  fiscal  year  L902  3, 
compared  with  the  preceding  fiscal  year  1901-2,  are  reported  by  the 
Postmaster-General  of  Mexico  to  have  been  as  follows: 


Sale  of  postage  stamp- 

Rent  of  postal  boxes 

Pines  and  forfeitures 

Premiums  on  post-office  money  orders: 

Interior 

International 

Premiums  on  editors'  drafts 

Total 


.".63.08 

7(  (3.00 

33. '.'1  J.  Is 

•200,912.55 

n  n 

30. 995. 12 


1901-2. 


12, 068, 593. 29 
60,604.00 
26, 169. 31 

219,390.31 

3,687.01 

30, 716. 39 


2,718,464.38  2,394,159.31 


Mexico  was  a  party  signatory  to  the  Universal  Postal  Convention 
of  Paris  on  June  1.  1878,  and  ha-  since  entered  into  conventions  and 
parcel-post  agreements  with  several  nations,  among  others  the  United 
States,  Germany.  France.  Great  Britain,  and  Ireland. 


STEAMSHIP    LINES. 


Prior  to  1877  Mexico  mav  lie  -aid  to  have  been  isolated  so  far  as 
activity  in  maritime  commerce  or  communication  was  concerned,  but 
since  that  time  the  Mexican  Government  has  given  great  impetus  to 
sea  transportation  by  granting  subsidies  and  special  concession-  to 
companies  and  individuals. 


STEAMSHIP    LINES.  359 

*  Up  to  1896,  21  steamship  lines  had  contracts  with  the  Government 
for  carrying  the  mails,  of  which  10  were  Mexican,  1  American,  1  Eng- 
lish, 1  Spanish,  1  French,  and  1  German.  Eight  of  these  lines  enjoy 
subsidies  ranging  from  $75  to  $2,000  for  the  round  trip,  or  from  $6,600 
to  $15,000  per  annum.  The  other  lines  enjoy  certain  privileges  and 
exemptions. 

Latest  official  statistics  (1902)  report  the  following  steamship  lines 
as  under  contract  with  the  Government  to  perform  postal  service: 

The  New  York  and  Cuba  Steamship  Company  {American). — This 
company  has  no  subvention,  but  enjoys  special  exemptions.  The 
steamers  are  required,  under  the  terms  of  the  contract,  to  make  52 
regular  trips  to  and  from  Progreso,  New  York,  Veracruz,  Tuxpam, 
Tampico,  Frontera,  Alvarado,  Campeche,  Coatzacoalcos,  and  Laguna. 

The  German  Imperial  Mail  {German).  —This  line  enjoys  special 
exemptions  and  is  required  to  make  at  least  2  monthly  trips  to  and 
from  Hamburg,  Havre,  Veracruz,  Tampico,  Progreso,  and  other  ports. 

Harrison  Line  {English). — This  line  enjoys  special  exemptions  and 
is  required  to  make  at  least  2  trips  per  month  to  and  from  Liverpool 
and  Veracruz,  with  the  privilege  of  stopping,  on  either  trip,  at  Tam- 
pico, Tuxpam,  Frontera,  Campeche,  and  Progreso;  also,  at  Barbados, 
St.  Thomas,  Trinidad,  La  Guaira,  Puerto  Cabello,  Curacao,  Santa 
Marta,  Sabanilla,  Cartagena,  Port  au  Prince,  Kingston,  Colon,  and 
New  Orleans. 

Munson  Line  {American). — This  line  enjoys  special  exemptions  and 
is  required  to  make  at  least  2  round  trips  per  month  to  and  from  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  or  any  other  port  of  the  United  States  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  and  Tampico,  Veracruz,  and  Progreso,  with  stops  on 
either  trip  at  other  Mexican  ports. 

West  India  and  Pacific  Steamship  Company  {English). — This  line 
enjoys  special  exemptions,  making  2  trips  per  month  with  the  same 
itinerary  as  the  Harrison  Line. 

Atlantic  and  Gulf  of  Mexico  Steamship)  Company  {American). — 
This  line  enjoys  special  exemptions,  and  is  required  to  make  at  least  2 
trips  per  month  to  and  from  either  Mobile  or  Pensacola  and  Mexican 
Gulf  ports. 

Compania  de  Navegacion  en  los  Bios  Grijalva,  Usumacinta  and  Pali- 
zada  {Mexican). — This  line  has  a  subsidy  of  $9,000  per  annum  and  is 
required  to  make  36  trips  per  year  on  the  rivers  named. 

Compania  Mexicana  de  Navegacion,  S.  A.  {Mexican). — This  line 
enjoys  special  exemptions  and  makes  several  trips  per  month  between 
Veracruz,  Coatzacoalcos,  Frontera,  Laguna,  Campeche,  Progreso,  and 
to  Tampico  and  intermediate  points. 

Compania  Industrial  de  Transportes  {Mexican). — This  line  receives 
a  subsidy  of  $6,000  per  annum,  and  is  under  obligation  to  make  6 
monthly  trips  on  the  rivers  Gonzalez  and  Mezcalapa. 


360  MEXICO. 

Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company  (American). — This  line  enjoys 
special  exemptions  and  is  required  t<>  make  3  monthly  trips,  [t  con- 
nects all  tin1  ports  of  the  Pacific  coast  of  Mexico  with  San  Francisco 

on  the  north,  with  Central  American  ports  on  the  south,  and  also  con- 
nects with  a  New  York  service  via  Colon. 

Compania  de  Navegacion  del  Pacifico  (Mexican). — This  line  receives 
a  subsidy  of  $3,500  per  round  trip,  being  required  to  make  L8  tripe 
pearly  between  Guaymas,  La  Paz.  Altata,  Mazatlan,  San  Bias,  Man- 
zanillo,  Acapulco,  Puerto  Angel,  Salina  Cruz.  Tonala.  San  Benito,  and 
other  service. 

Lower  California  Development  Cdtnpany  (Mexican). — This  line 
receives  a  subsidy  of  §150  per  round  trip  during  the  continuance  of 
the  contract  and  is  required  to  make  7'2  trips  per  year  between  San 
Diego,  Todos  Santos,  and  San  Quintin. 

Pacific  Coast  Steamship  Company  (American).  This  line  also  enjoys 
special  exemptions,  the  service  required  being  at  least  1  monthly  trip 
between  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  and  Guaymas,  touching  at  Ensenada  de 
Todos  Santos.  Bahia  de  la  Magdalena,  San  -lose  del  Cabo.  Mazatlan, 
and  La  Paz. 

Compania  Ndviera  del  Pacifico  (Mexican). — This  company  consists 
of  three  different  lines,  one  required  to  make  48  trips  per  annum 
between  Guaymas,  La  Paz,  and  Emeka  and  intermediate  points,  receiv- 
ing for  this  service  a  subsidy  of  $18,000  per  annum;  another  line 
receiving  a  yearly  subsidy  amounting  to  $5,857  for  4  round  monthly 
trips  between  Mazatlan,  Altata.  and  Topolobampo,  and  another  line 
making  36  trips  per  year  between  Guaymas,  Santa  Rosalia,  Mulege, 
Loreto,  and  La  Paz,  receiving  for  this  service  $7,200  per  annum. 

Compania  Tnglesa  de  Navegacidn  por  vapores  en  el  Pacifico  y  Sud- 
Americana  d\  Vapores  (English  and  Chilean).  -Receives  a  subsidy  of 
$20,000  per  annum,  being  required  to  touch  at  certain  ports  at  least 
once  or  twice  a  month,  as  agreed. 

Compafiia  d<  Nia/oegaci&n  >n  los  rios  Grijalva,  Chilapa  y  TuHija 
(Mexican).  This  line  is  required  to  make  3  monthly  trips  between 
Frontera,  Tepetitan.  and  Pavo  Real,  receiving  for  this  service  a  subsidy 
of  Si_'.S,so  per  annum. 

Mexican- American  (American)^  from  New  Orleans  to  Veracruz,  and 
Tampico.  This  line  Is  required  to  make  24  trips  a  year,  enjoying  for 
the  service  special  exemptions. 

Kosmos  Line  (German).  This  line  enjoys  special  exemptions,  the 
service  required  being  12  yearly  trips  from  Hamburg  and  other  Euro- 
pean and  South  and  Central  American  ports. 

Compania  Idmitada  d>  /'«  F< rr<><<irr!lts  de  Veracruz  (Mexican). — 
Has  a  subsidy  of  $0,732  per  annum,  the  service  required  being  312 
trips  a  year  between  Alvarado  and  Chocaltianguis.  1<>4  between  Alva- 


STEAMSHIP   LINES.  361 

rado  and  San  Juan  Evangelista,  and  156  between  Alvarado  and  Alonso 
Lazarro,  touching  at  intermediate  ports. 

There  are,  besides,  other  important  lines  which  ply  in  Mexican 
waters,  but  enjoy  no  privileges  whatever.  Among*  these  lines  are  the 
Morgan  Line  (American),  the  Royal  Mail  Steam  Packet  Company 
(English),  the  Hamburg-American  Packet  Company  (German),  and 
Spanish  and  French  lines. 

A  great  number  of  concessions  have  been  granted  by  the  -Govern- 
ment to  companies  purposing  to  establish  new  steamship  lines  on  both 
coasts,  all  of  which  promise  to  add  greatly  to  the  efficiency  of  the 
service  between  the  ports  on  their  respective  itineraries. 


CHAPTER  XV 

PUBLIC  LANDS— COLONIZATION  AND  IMMIGRATION  LAWS. 

Mexico  may  be  divided  into  throe  regions,  which  the  "Mexican 
Financial  Review "  calls,  respectively,  the  hacienda  country,  the  pueblo 
country,  and  the  free  country. 

The  first-named  or  farming  country  comprises  the  greater  part  of 
the  central  plateau,  many  of  the  temperate  valleys  situated  on  the 
slopes  or  terraces  of  this  plateau,  nearly  all  of  the  Gulf  coast,  and 
many  point-  on  the  Pacific. 

The  pueblo  or  community  holdings  lie  toward  the  southern  part  of 
the  country. 

The  free  country  or  public  lands,  so  called  because  of  the  fact  that 
few  if  any  haciendas  or  pueblos  exist  there,  is  situated  in  the  north  of 
the  Republic. 

A-  regards  the  central  plateau,  it  is  really  marvelous  that  its  lands 
retain  their  fertility,  considering  their  great  productiveness  for  hun- 
dreds of  years.  The  only  way  this  can  he  accounted  for  is  that  the 
system  of  irrigation  there  in  vogue  yearly  resupplies  the  soil  with 
natural  fertilizing  matter. 

Previous  to  the  conquest  this  very  land  had  to  provide  food  for  at 
least  twice  the  existing  population  of  the  country,  and  was  producing 
for  more  than  six  centuries  unceasingly  and  without  fertilizers. 
Strange,  indeed,  then,  that  it  has  not  become  sterile.  Hut  it  is  said 
that  the  day  is  fast  approaching  when  the  fecundity  of  this  soil  will 
vanish.  Dryness  and  barrenness  are  already  becoming  evident  in  cer- 
tain portions  of  the  table-lands;  hut  irrigation  companies  are  being 
organized  steadily,  and  will  undoubtedly  prevent  this  undesirable 
tendency. 

The  almost  virgin  land,  and  that  which  invites  the  energetic  arm  of 
the  careful  husbandman,  lies  on  the  east  and  on  the  west,  toward  the 
coasts,  and  when  railroads  shall  have  united  one  and  the  other  points 
many  fertile  valleys  will  be  in  a  position  to  yield  two  and  three  crops 
a  year. 

The  free  or  public  lands  are  situated  mostly  in  parts  of  the  States 
of  Chihuahua,  Coahuila,  Durango.  Sinaloa,  and  Sonora.  Immense 
tracts  are  here  almost  uninhabited,  and  in  the  western  Sierra  Madre 
362 


PUBLIC    LANDS. 


363 


the  plains  reach  down  to  the  Tropics.  These  lands  were  formerly  set- 
tled upon  by  religious  orders,  or  were  held  by  officers  of  the  Spanish 
Crown.  After  the  war  of  independence  and  the  escheating  to  the 
State  of  ecclesiastical  holdings  they  became  public  lands,  and  are  what 
are  now  called  terrenos  ftaldios.  The  nation,  under  laws  to  that  effect 
enacted  on  July  20,  1863,  and  March  26,  1894,  is  having  these  lands 
surveyed  and  measured,  giving  to  the  companies  doing  the  surveying 
one-third  of  the  land  surveyed,  and  disposing  of  the  rest,  some  gratui- 
tously to  towns  as  commons,  and  to  private  parties  and  companies  at 
fixed  rates.  Some  28,211,607  acres  have  thus  been  disposed  of  since 
1867  up  to  December  31, 1895,  and  the  Government  still  retains  in  the 
neighborhood  of  25,000.000  acres.  For  the  lands  sold  the  public  treas- 
ury has  received  $2,508,819.01  up  to  the  date  mentioned.  From  July  1 
to  December  31, 1897,  there  were  public  lands  sold  in  eight  States,  under 
the  two  lawrs  referred  to,  to  the  extent  of  90,858.67  acres,  producing 
$30,755.13. 

The  following  table  from  Mexican  official  statistics  shows  extent, 
value,  and  number  of  titles  of  public  lands  issued  by  the  Government 
from  1898  to  1902: 


Number 
of  titles 
issued. 


Hectares.     Ares 


Value. 


Grants  of  public  lands 

Sale  of  national  lands  

Titles  issued  to  colonists 

Titles  issued  under  certain  agreements 

As  compensation  for  surveying  expenses 

Gratuitous  grants  to  townships,  etc 

Grants  covering  cxeedenciax,  demasias,  etc 

Gratuitous  grants,  as  provided  in  act  Nov.  27,  1896 
Subsidies  granted  to  railway  companies 

Total 


668 

556 

283 

56 

40 

4,350 

69 

253 

1 


579, 628 

1,231,595 

5, 526 

408, 753 

173,611 

48, 827 

497, 825 

47, 041 

71, 591 


6,276       3,064,401 


8365, 880. 20 

1, 308, 508. 90 

19,120.09 

141,943.66 


1,835,452.85 


The  following  statement  shows  the  extent  of  Government  lands  sold 
and  the  price  from  January  1  to  June  30,  1903: 


Land 
sold. 


Price. 


Coahuila . . . 

Chiapas 

Chihuahua. 
Durango ... 

Sinaloa 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 
Yucatan  ... 
Zacatecas  . . 

Total. 


1I<  chins. 

1,912 

450 

2,804 

15,357 

77 

2,855  I 

2,  691 

2,725 

35 


8637.  64 

150. 27 

224. 34 

11, 262. 08 

51.77 

3, 428. 06 

2, 048. 03 

2, 306. 11 

52. 04 


28, 934         20, 160. 34 


3<>4  MEXICO. 


LAND    LAW. 


The  general  land  law  of  Mexico  was  originally  promulgated  on 
March  26,  L894,  the  regulations  governing  it-  application  bearing  date 

of  .June  ."">  and  (  tetober  1  of  the  same  year. 

Under  this  law  Government  lands  are  divided  into  four  classes,  as 
follows: 

1.  Terrenos  haldios  (public  lands)  are  all  hinds  in  the  Republic  not 
devoted  to  public  use  by  the  proper  authorities,  nor  by  them  con- 
veyed, gratuitously  or  otherwise,  to  private  individuals  or  corpora- 
tions, according  to  law. 

2.  Demands  (excess  holdings)  are  the  lands  in  possession  of  private 
individuals  in  excess  of  the  area  determined  by  the  boundaries  estab- 
lished by  the  original  grant,  when  such  holdings  lie  within  said  bound- 
aries, 'icing  a  pari  of  the  whole  grant. 

3.  h'.rrnl,  Hi-ins  (outside  possessions)  are  lands  possessed  by  private 
individuals  for  .twenty  or  more  years,  lying  beyond  the  boundaries 
established  by  the  original  grant,  but  adjoining  the  land  under  such 
grant. 

■i.  Terrenos  Rationales  (national  lands)  are  the  unallotted  public  or 
vacant  lands  surveyed  by  official  commissions  or  by  duly  authorized 
corporations,  or  public  lands  denounced  by  private  individuals  who 
have  subsequently  abandoned  their  claims,  or  when  such  claims  have 
not  been  granted,  provided  the  land  has  been  actually  surveyed. 

In  general  terms  the  law  provides  that  all  residents  in  the  Republic 
of  legal  age  and  contractural  capacity  have  the  right  to  denounce  or 
preempt  public  land  in  any  part  thereof  to  an  unlimited  extent,  except 
natives  or  naturalized  citizens  of  bordering  nation-,  who  can  not 
through  any  title  acquire  land  in  any  State  or  Territory  bordering  on 
their  country.  The  privilege  hereby  granted  in  nowise  repeal-  the 
limitations  of  laws  now  or  hereafter  to  be  enacted  relating  to  the 
acquisition  of  real  estate  by  aliens. 

The  Executive  shall  establish,  by  decree  to  be  published  in  January 
of  each  year,  the  schedule  of  price-  of  public  lands  in  each  State,  the 
Federal  District,  and  the  Territories.  This  schedule  shall  remain  in 
force  during  the  fiscal  year  next  succeeding  its  publication. 

The  following  Ian  1-  can  not  be  alienated  through  any  title  whatsoever: 

1.  The  seashore. 

2.  The  shore  lines  extending  20  meters  back  of  high-water  mark 
along  the  coasts  of  the  mainland  and  islands. 

3.  A  strip  L0  meters  wide  along  each  bank  of  navigable  rivers  and 
5  meters  wide  along  the  banks  of  smaller  streams  capable  of  floating 
any  marketable  substance. 

4.  Lands  having  monumental  ruins,  together  with  the  ground  that 
may  be  declared  necessary  for  their  care  and  preservation. 


LAND   LAW.  365 

The  Department  of  Promotion  (Fomento)  is  authorized  to  enter  into 
contracts  for  the  exploitation  of  public  lands  or  to  lease  said  lands 
while  no  claims  or  denouncements  are  pending,  and  to  issue  proper 
rules  and  regulations  for  the  cutting  of  timber  or  the  development  of 
such  land  products,  establishing  penalties  for  the  violation  of  said 
rules  and  regulations. 

Lessees  or  contractors  for  public  lands  may  be  granted  the  right  to 
acquire  said  lands  at  a  certain  rate,  in  case  third  parties  should  file 
claims  for  grants  covering  the  lands  in  question.  This  right  is  to  be 
enforced  within  thirty  days  after  the  denouncement  or  claim  is  filed, 
the  lessees  or  contractors  being  under  obligation,  should  they  acquire 
the  land,  to  reimburse  the  claimant  for  all  surveying  and  other 
expenses  connected  with  the  filing  of  the  denouncement. 

Licenses  granted  for  the  exploitation  of  public  lands  expire  upon 
the  final  grant  of  the  land  to  a  denouncer  or  claimant. 

The  denouncing  of  public  lands  must  be  made  before  the  agent  of 
the  Department  of  Promotion  within  whose  jurisdiction  the  land  is 
situated. 

Within  fifteen  days  after  the  filing  of  the  necessary  petition,  the 
agent  must  investigate  whether  the  land  has  been  surveyed  or  is 
reserved  for  forests,  colonies,  or  settlement  of  Indians,  or  otherwise. 

Eveiy  denouncement  must  be  published  in  the  office  of  the  agent, 
the  official  paper  of  the  State,  District,  or  Territory  where  the  land  is 
situated,  at  the  expense  of  the  denouncer,  at  whose  expense  also  the 
survey  of  the  land  is  to  be  made  by  an  expert  engineer  to  be  named 
by  him  with  the  approval  of  the  agent. 

The  survey  and  the  plat  of  the  land  having  been  made  and  no  pro- 
test having  been  filed,  the  agent  will  make  copies  of  the  record  and 
plat  and  transmit  the  same  to  the  Department  of  Promotion,  through 
the  governor  of  the  State  in  question,  for  inspection. 

Should  the  Department  find  the  record,  plat,  etc.,  unobjectionable, 
it  will  adjudicate  the  land  in  favor  of  the  denouncer  and  notify  him  to 
pay  the  price  thereof. 

This  price  is  that  fixed  by  the  schedule  in  force  at  the  time  the 
denouncement  is  made,  and  must  be  paid  within  two  months  after 
notification.  If  this  term  should  expire  without  proof  of  the  pajmient 
having  been  received  at  the  Department,  the  denouncer  loses  the  rights 
he  may  have  acquired;  otherwise  the  patent  will  be  delivered  to  him. 

Should  any  protest  be  interposed,  the  matter  will  be  carried  to  the 
court  of  the  district  within  whose  jurisdiction  the  land  is  situated,  to 
try  the  issues.  In  such  suits  the  district  attorney  will  represent  the 
Government.  Suits  of  this  character  act  as  a  stay  of  all  administrative 
action  until  final  judgment  is  delivered. 

Under  the  law,  as  given  in  substance  above,  the  Secretary  of  Pro- 
motion publishes  every  year  the  prices  at  which  Government  lands 


366 


MEXICO. 


may  be  purchased.  In  pursuance  thereof  the  prices  for  such  lands  for 
the  year  L904-5  have  been  published.  The  following  table  gives  the 
price  per  hectare  (2.471  acres): 


State  or  Territory. 


Price. 


Aguascalientes S_.  _'o 

Campeche 

Chiapas 

Chihuahua - 

Coahuila 

Colima 

Durango  

Guanajuato 

Guerrero 

Bidalgo 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

M  ichoac&n 

Mi  ireloa 

Nuevo  Leon 

Oaxaca  


r  Territory. 


2.  25 

3.00 
L.20 

1.10 
1.10 
1.20 

-'.'JO 

1.20 

2.50 
2.20 

2. 75 
1.  in 
3.00 
1.10 

1.20 


Puebla 

Qnergtaro 

Sun  Luis  Potosi 

Binaloa 

Sonora   

Tabasco 

Taniaulipa.s 

Tlazcala 

Veracruz 

Yucatan 

Zacatecas 

Federal  District 

Territory  of  Tepic 

Territory  of  Lower  California  . 
Territory  of  Quintans.  Eoo 


Price. 


2.20 

1.20 
1.30 
3.60 
L20 

2.20 
2.  :•'. 
2.20 
2.20 
0.10 
j.  :ki 
.70 
.50 


The  price  is  not  payable  in  cash  but  in  bonds  of  the  national  debt, 
the  value  <»f  which  varies  from  time  to  time,  the  tendency  for  the  past 
three  years  being  decidedly  upward. 

COLONIZATION. 

Mexico  has  made  sacrifices  to  induce  people  to  its  shores,  but  its 
efforts  in  this  behalf  have  not  caused  any  considerable  influx  of  for- 
eigners to  the  country.  Mexicans  attribute  this  state  of  things  to  two 
causes,  viz.  the  fact  that  free  land  is  situated  at  a  considerable  distance 
from  means  of  communication,  and  that  the  country  is  not  so  devoid 
of  native  population  as  is  generally  supposed.  The  Indian  lives  on 
very  little  and  can  therefore  afford  to  work  for  such  paltry  wages  that 
foreign  immigrants  can  not  compete  with  him.  When  the  general 
state  of  the  country  shall  be  such  as  to  create  a  voluntary  current  of 
immigration,  it  is  confidently  believed  that  the  Republic  will  reap  the 
reward  of  its  sacrifices,  for  it  is  a  country  where  the  immigrant. 
under  the  colonization  laws,  has  the  smallest  amount  of  taxes  to  pay. 

The  first  steps  taken  in  the  direction  of  inducing  aliens  to  seek 
Mexico's  fertile  fields  date  back  to  L827.  In  the  year  L821  a  law  was 
enacted  entitled  "  Prosperidad  General"  (general  prosperity),  in  which 
special  reference  is  made  to  the  rapid  growth  of  the  foreign  colony  in 
the  State  of  Texas.  In  the  year  L846  the  then  Minister  of  Foreign 
Affairs,  Jose"  M.  Lafragua,  presented  a  plan  for  legislation  to  Congress 
in  which,  inter  <ili<t.  he  spoke  of  "the  neglect  of  colonization  as  a 
crime  of  high  treason,"  and  held  out  the  flattering  but  delusive  hope 
of  establishing  innumerable  colonies  to  contain  at  least  50,000 persons. 
During  the  imperial  period  Sefior  Robles  submitted  to  Congress  plans 
of  the  same  sort,  as  did  also  Sefior  Balcareel  in  18t>8,  and  Sefior  Kiva 
Palacio  in  1877:  hut  up  to  L88l>  no  really  serious  practical  efforts  were 
made  to  attract  immigration,  and  the  results  obtained  up  to  the  pre>- 
ent  are  comparatively  insignificant. 


LEGISLATION.  367 

COLONIZATION    LAW. 

The  colonization  law  now  in  force  was  enacted  and  promulgated  on 
the  15th  day  of  December,  1883.  It  comprises  four  chapters  and  thirty- 
one  articles,  the  former  being-  entitled,  respectively,  "Of  the  survey 
of  lands;1'  "Of  colonists;"  "Of  companies;"  "General  provisions." 

The  provisions  of  this  law  are,  in  substance,  as  follows: 

For  the  purpose  of  securing  lands  suitable  to  the  establishment  of 
colonies,  the  Executive  will  cause  the  waste  or  Government  lands  in 
the  Republic  to  be  surveyed,  measured,  subdivided,  and  appraised, 
appointing  to  this  end  the  corps  of  engineers  he  ma}^  deem  necessaiy, 
and  determining  the  methods  to  be  followed. 

No  subdivision  shall  in  any  case  exceed  2,500  hectares  (about  6,177 
acres)  in  extent,  this  being  the  greatest  amount  of  land  which  shall  be 
conveyed  to  aiy  one  individual  of  lawful  age  and  legal  capacity. 

The  lands  surveyed,  measured,  subdivided,  and  appraised  may  be 
conveyed  to  foreign  immigrants  and  inhabitants  of  the  Republic  who 
may  desire  to  establish  themselves  thereon  as  colonists,  under  the 
following  conditions: 

(1)  Ity  purchase,  at  the  price  set  by  the  engineers  and  approved  by 
the  Department  of  .Promotion,  payable  in  ten  years  in  equal  install- 
ments, the  first  becoming  due  two  years  after  the  establishment  of  the 
colony. 

(2)  By  purchase,  the  price  being  paid  on  entry,  or  in  installments  on 
shorter  time  than  that  provided  in  the  preceding  section. 

(3)  By  gratuitous  concession,  when  requested  b}'  the  colonist;  but 
in  this  case  no  cession  shall  exceed  100  hectares  (about  247  acres),  and 
the  colonist  shall  receive  no  title  to  the  same  until  he  shall  have  shown 
that  he  has  retained  the  land  in  his  possession,  and  has  wholly  culti- 
vated it,  or  to  an  extent  not  less  than  one-tenth  of  the  whole  for  five 
consecutive  }Tears. 

So  soon  as  there  shall  be  lands  suitable  for  colonization  under  the 
conditions  herein  provided,  the  Executive  shall  determine  which  should 
be  settled  -at  once,  publishing  the  plats  thereof  and  the  prices  at  which 
they  shall  be  sold,  endeavoring  in  every  case  that  the  sale  or  gratui- 
tous conveyance  shall  be  of  alternate  sections.  The  remaining  sec- 
tions shall  be  reserved  to  be  sold  under  the  conditions  prescribed  by 
the  law  when  they  shall  be  sought,  or  when  the  Executive  shall  so 
determine,  the  Executive  being  empowered  to  mortgage  them  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  funds  which,  added  to  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of 
sections  of  land,  shall  be  exclusively  destined  to  the  carrying  out  of 
colonization. 

To  be  considered  as  a  colonist  and  to  be  entitled  to  the  privileges 
conferred  bjr  this  law  it  is  necessary  that  the  colonist,  in  case  he  is  a 
foreigner,  shall  come  to  the  Republic  provided  with  the  certificate  of 


868  mexioo. 

the  consular  <>r  immigration  agent,  issued  at  the  request  of  the  said 
immigrant,  or  of  the  company  or  corporation  authorized  by  tin* 
Executive  t<>  bring  colonists  to  the  Republic 

Should  the  petitioner  reside  in  the  Republic,  he  must  apply  to  the 
Department  of  Promotion,  or  to  the  agents  authorized  by  the  said 
I  department  to  admit  colonists  to  the  colonies,  which  shall  be  established 
in  the  Republic. 

In  every  case  petitioners  must  present  certificates  of  the  proper 
authorities  setting  forth  their  good  character  and  their  occupation 
previous  to  petitioning  for  admission  as  colonists. 

Colonist-  settling  in  the  Republic  shall  enjoy  for  the  period  of  ten 
years,  counting  from  the  date  of  their  establishment,  the  following 
privileges: 

(1)  Exemption  from  military  service. 

(2)  Exemption  from  all  taxes  except  municipal. 

(3)  Exemption  from  all  import  or  domestic  duties  on  articles  of 
consumption  not  produced  in  the  country,  agricultural  implements, 
tools,  machines,  outfits,  building  materials,  household  furniture,  and 
animals  for  breeding  purposes,  and  thoroughbreds  for  the  use  of  the 
colonies. 

(4)  Exemption,  personal  and  nontransferable,  from  export  duties 
on  the  products  of  cultivation. 

(5)  Premiums  on  praiseworthy  productions,  and  prizes  and  special 
protection  for  the  introduction  of  new  agricultural  interests  or 
industries. 

(6)  Exemption  from  fees  for  the  certification  of  signatures  and  issu- 
ing of  passports  delivered  by  consular  agents  to  parties  coming  to  the 
Republic  as  colonists  by  virtue  of  contracts  entered  into  between  the 
Government  and  any  company  or  companies. 

The  Department  of  Promotion  shall  determine  the  number  and  kind 
of  articles  which  in  each  case  shall  he  admitted  free  of  duties,  and  the 
Finance  Department  shall  regulate  the  manner  of  admission  to  prevent 
fraud  ami  smuggling,  but  without  retarding  the  prompt  dispatch  of  the 
said  article-. 

Colonists  settling  on  lands  barren  of  tree-;,  and  who  shall  prove,  two 
years  previous  to  the  lapse  of  the  period  of  exemption,  that  on  a  por- 
tion of  their  section,  which  shall  not  lie  less  than  one-tenth  thereof, 
they  have  laid  out  trees  to  a  number  proportionate  to  the  land  planted 
on,  shall  be  exempt  from  taxes  on  the  whole  land  for  one  year  longer, 
and.  in  general,  shall  have  exemption  for  one  year  further  for  each 
tenth  part  of  their  land  so  laid  out. 

The  colonies  shall  be  established  under  the  municipal  jurisdiction, 
subject,  as  regards  the  election  of  their  authorities  and  the  levying  of 
taxes,  to  the  general  laws  of  the  Republic  and  the  laws  of  the  State 
wherein  they  are  established.     The  Department  of  Promotion  may. 


COLONIZATION    LAW.  369 

however,  appoint  agents  in  said  colonies  for  the  purpose  of  better 
directing-  their  labors  and  exacting-  the  payment  of  the  amounts  which 
ma}'  be  due  to  the  Federation  for  any  titles  conveyed. 

Colonists  are  required  to  carry  out  their  contracts  with  the  Federal 
Government,  or  with  the  individuals  or  companies  transporting-  or 
establishing-  them  in  the  Republic. 

Every  alien  immigrant  settling-  in  a  colony  shall,  at  the  time  of  such 
settlement,  declare  before  the  Federal  colonization  agent,  notary,  or 
proper  judicial  officer,  whether  he  proposes  to  retain  hi.s  nationality, 
or  desires  to  embrace  Mexican  citizenship,  conceded  him  by  the  third 
section  of  article  30  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Republic. 

Colonists  shall  be  vested  with  all  the  rights  and  obligations  which 
to  Mexican  and  foreigners,  under  like  circumstances,  are  conceded  and 
imposed  by  the  Federal  Constitution,  besides  the  temporary  exemp- 
tions conceded  by  this  law;  but  all  questions  arising,  of  whatever 
character,  shall  be  subject  to  the  decisions  of  the  courts  of  the  Repub- 
lic, to  the  absolute  exclusion  of  all  foreign  intervention. 

Colonists  abandoning,  without  due  cause,  for  more  than  a  year,  the 
lands  which  shall  have  been  sold  them  shall  forfeit  the  right  to  said 
lands  and  the  amounts  they  may  have  paid  therefor. 

The  right  to  a  gratuitous  title  shall  be  forfeited  by  abandonment  of 
the  land  or  failure  to  cultivate  it  for  more  than  six  months  without 
good  cause. 

One  section  shall  be  ceded  without  cost,  in  localities  designed  by 
the  Federal  Government  for  new  settlements,  to  Mexican  or  foreign 
colonists  desiring  to  found  the  same;  but  they  shall  not  acquire  the 
title  to  said  section  until  they  shall  show  that  within  two  years  from 
the  foundation  of  the  settlement  they  have  erected  thereon  a  house, 
forfeiting  the  right  to  said  title  in  case  of  failure  to  so  build.  It  is 
the  purpose  to  cede  such  sections  alternately. 

The  Executive  is  empowered  to  aid  colonists  or  immigrants,  within 
the  appropriations  to  that  effect  made,  whenever  he  shall  deem  it 
advisable,  by  furnishing  them  expenses  of  transportation  for  them- 
selves and  their  baggage  by  sea  and  in  the  interior  to  the  terminus  of 
the  railroad  lines;  he  ma}'  further  furnish  them  with  free  subsistence 
for  fifteen  days,  and  no  more,  in  the  localities  he  ma}'  approve,  and 
also  with  tools,  seeds,  building  materials,  and  animals  for  work  and 
breeding;  these  latter  advances,  however,  shall  be  repaid  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  price  of  the  lands. 

The  Executive  may  authorize  companies  to  open  up  (hahilitar)  waste 
lands  by  measuring,  surveying,  subdividing  into  sections,  appraising 
and  describing  the  same,  and  to  transport  colonists  and  establish  them 
on  said  lands. 

For  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  necessary  authorization,  companies 
shall  designate  the  waste  lands  they  propose  to  occupy,  their  approxi- 
509a— 04 24 


'MU  MEXICO. 

mate  extent,  and  tin-  number  of  colonists  t<>  I  >e  settled  upon  them  within 
a  given  time. 

The  proceedings  incident  to  the  demarcation  or  Burvey  shall  be 
authorized  by  the  district  judge  within  whose  jurisdiction  the  waste 
land  to  be  surveyed  is  situated,  which  done,  and  there  being  no  adverse 
claimant,  the  record  will  be  delivered  to  the  company  to  be  presented 
to  the  Department  of  Promotion,  where  the  other  formalities  demanded 
by  this  law  must  he  complied  with.  Should  an  adverse  claimant  present 
himself  the  case  will  he  tried  as  hereinafter  provided,  the  representa- 
tive of  the  Federal  Treasury  being  a  party  thereto. 

In  return  for  the  expenses  incurred  by  the  companies  in  opening  up 
waste  lands,  the  Executive  may  cede  them  not  more  than  one-third  of 
the  land  thus  opened  up,  or  its  value  in  nione}',  but  under  the  express 
conditions  that  they  are  not  to  convey  such  lands  so  conceded  to  foreigners 
not  authorized  to  acquire  them,  nor  in  greater  quantities  than  2,500 
hectares,  under  pain  of  losing,  in  each  case,  the  portions  of  land  so 
conveyed  in  violation  of  said  conditions,  which  portions  shall  at  once 
become  the  property  of  the  nation. 

Lands  surveyed  by  the  companies,  excepting  such  as  may  be  ceded 
to  the  same  in  return  for  expenses  incurred  in  opening  them  up.  shall 
be  conveyed  to  colonists,  or  he  reserved  under  the  conditions  hefon 
mentioned. 

Any  authority  conferred  by  the  Executive  for  opening  14)  waste 
lands  shall  he  void  and  nonextendihle  whenever  work  thereon  shall  not 
have  been  commenced  within  the  term  of  three  months. 

The  Executive  may  contract  with  companies  or  corporations  for  the 
introduction  into  the  Republic  and  the  establishment  therein  of  foreign 
colonists  or  immigrants  under  the  following  conditions: 

(1)  The  companies  shall  fix  the  exact  time  within  which  ihey  will 
introduce  a  determined  number  of  colonists. 

(2)  The  colonists  or  immigrants  shall  fulfill  the  conditions  hereinbe- 
fore prescribed. 

(3)  The  bases  of  the  contracts  the  companies  may  make  with  the 
colonies  shall  conform  to  the  provisions  of  this  law,  and  shall  he  sub- 
mitted for  approval  to  the  Department  pf  Promotion. 

(4)  The  companies  must  guarantee  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Execu- 
tive the  carrying  out  of  the  obligations  assumed  in  their  contracts, 
which  contracts  must  name  the  causes  in  which  forfeiture  and  tines 
shall  he  imposed. 

Companies  contracting  with  the  Executive  for  the  transportation 
to  the  Republic  and  settling  therein  of  foreign  colonists  shall  enjoy. 
foi  a  term  not  to  exceed  twenty  years,  the  privileges  and  exemptions 
following: 

(1)  The  sale  on  long  time  and  at  low  price  of  waste  or  Government 
lands  for  the  exclusive  purpose  of  colonizing  the  same. 


COLONIZATION    LAW.  371 

(2)  Exemption  from  taxation,  except  the  stamp  tax  on  capital 
invested  in  the  enterprise. 

(3)  Exemption  from  port  dues,  except  such  as  are  set  aside  for  har- 
bor improvements,  to  all  vessels  that,  on  the  compan}r,s  account,  shall 
carry  ten  families,  at  least,  of  colonists  to  the  Republic. 

(4)  Exemption  from  import  duties  on  tools,  machines,  building 
materials,  and  animals  for  work  and  breeding  which  shall  be  exclu- 
sively destined  for  an  agricultural,  mining,  or  industrial  colony  whose 
establishment  shall  have  been  authorized  by  the  Executive. 

(5)  Premiums  for  each  family  established,  and  a  second  premium 
for  each  family  disembarked;  premiums  for  each  Mexican  family 
established  in  a  foreign  colony. 

(6)  Transportation  of  colonists  at  the  expense  of  the  Government  on 
subsidized  steamship  and  railroad  lines. 

Foreign  colonization  companies  shall  be  considered  as  Mexican, 
being  required  to  have  a  legal  domicile  in  one  of  the  cities  of  the 
Republic,  without  prejudice  to  their  having  one  or  more  abroad,  and 
they  are  bound  to  have  at  all  times  a  local  board  of  directors,  and 
one  or  more  attorneys  de  facto,  fully  empowered  to  treat  with  the 
Executive. 

All  questions  arising  between  the  Government  and  the  companies 
shall  be  decided  b}T  the  courts  of  the  Republic  and  according  to  its 
laws,  without  any  intervention  whatever  on  the  part  of  foreign  diplo- 
matic agents. 

Private  parties  setting  aside  any  portion  of  their  lands  for  the  pur- 
pose of  colonizing  them  with  not  less  than  ten  families  of  foreign 
immigrants  are  entitled  to  have  the  same,  enjoy  equal  privileges  and 
exemptions  with  the  colonies  established  by  the  Federal  Government 
whenever  they  shall  conform  to  the  conditions  imposed  b}^  the  Execu- 
tive to  assure  the  success  of  the  colony,  and  whenever  among  said 
conditions  shall  be  one  requiring  said  colonists  to  acquire,  b}r  purchase 
or  cession,  one  section  of  land  for  cultivation. 

The  Executive  may  provide  private  parties  with  foreign  colonists  by 
stipulating  with  them  the  conditions  under  which  they  are  to  be 
established,  and  may  aid  them  by  furnishing  the  expenses  of  transpor- 
tation of  said  colonists. 

The  colonizing  of  the  islands  in  both  oceans  shall  be  done  by  the 
Executive,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  law,  the  Government 
reserving  on  each  island  50  hectares  of  land  for  public  use.  In  case 
the  island  should  not  have  the  superficial  area  necessaiy  for  the  reser- 
vation herein  specified,  no  sale  of  land  shall  be  made  thereon,  and 
said  land  ma}T  only  be  rented  on  short  terms. 

Colonies  established  on  islands  shall  always  include  Mexican  families 
to  a  number  not  less  than  one-half  of  the  total  colonist  families. 

The    Executive   is  authorized  to  acquire,  by  purchase  or  cession, 


372 


Ml  XIOO. 


private  land-,  whenever  he  shall  deem  it  expedient  to  establish  colo- 
nics thereon,  subject,  however,  to  the  appropriations  t<>  be  made  for 
this  purpose. 

Local  legislation.  The  question  of  inducing  aliens  t<>  settle  in  Mex- 
ico ha- awakened  not  only  the  interest  <d'  the  General  Government, 
hut  some  of  the  State  governments  have  given  it  much  time  and  thought 
Foremost  among  these  is  the  government  of  the  State  of  Veracruz. 
On  the  25th  of  December,  1885,  the  legislature  of  this  State  passed  a 
law  founded  upon  that  quoted  on  the  preceding  pages.  'Phis  [aw 
authorized  the  governor  to  enter  into  contracts  with  owners  of  suburban 
landed  property  for  the  purpose  of  colonizing  it  under  the  law.  All 
such  owners  entering  into  a  contract  are  entitled  to  a  rebate  on  their 
taxes  at  the  rate  of  $5  for  every  family  settling  on  their  lands  who 
shall  engage  in  agricultural  and  kindred  pursuits.  Owners  of  suburban 
lands  receive  a  premium  of  $5  for  every  15  foreign  families  established 
on  their  lands  as  colonists  for  an  uninterrupted  period  of  three  year-. 
Premiums  are  likewise  offered  for  every  new  industry  established  in 
such  colonies,  and  to  the  colonist  showing  the1  largest  area  of  land 
under  cultivation.  Many  exemptions  from  taxes  and  contributions 
arc  granted.  Every  colony  of  15  or  more  families  definitely  estab- 
lished in  any  locality  in  the  State  is  entitled  to  organize  its  own  local 
police  in  accordance  with  law.  and  to  solicit  of  the  Government  a  sub- 
vention to  carry  out  such  public  works  as  may  be  deemed  necessary 
in  the  interest  of  the  colony. 

Colonies. — Under  the  general  law  of  the  General  Government  34 
colonies  had  been  founded  up  to  October  19,  1897.  The  colonies, 
their  names,  location,  etc..  as  furnished  by  the  Bureau  of  Statistics  of 
the  Mexican  Republic  under  the  above  date,  here  follow: 

Colonies  founded  by  the  Federal  Government. 


Location. 

Number  of  colonfsta 

Name  of  colony. 

District,  cii-. 

State 

Mexl-      For- 
cans.    eignere. 

Total. 

294            11 
8           437 
21             *1 
46           378 
283            63 
21             89 

U2    

210    

1,218    

305 

Cbolula  .. 

44o 

102 

124 

San  Luis  Potosl  

Federal  J»i>trict 

346 

Municipality  of  Mexico 

no 

112 

Lower  California 

210 

1,218 

San  Pablo  Hidalgo 

208 
128 
278 
40 

208 

do 

do 

128 

do 

.lc  > 

278 

40 

Total 

2.  867 

1,059 

3, 926 

In  1900,  the  latest  available  statistics  on  the  subject  show  that  the 
colonies  of  Manuel  Gonzalez,  in  Veracruz;  Fernandez  Leal,  in  Puebla, 
and  La  Ascension,  in  Chihuahua,  had  been  created  townships  (jiueblos), 


NEW    CONCESSION'S. 


373 


passing  under  control  of  the  respective  States,  while  Sericicultora,  in 
Mexico,  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  silk  worm,  had  been  aban- 
doned by  the  colonists.  The  total  number  of  colonists  in  the  remain- 
ing 9  colonies  founded  by  the  Government  is  officially  given  in  1900  at 
2,818,  there  being  1,991  Mexicans  and  196  foreigners,  the  largest  colo- 
nies being  Jiscao,  with  142  colonists;  Diez  Gutierrez,  with  329;  Por- 
firio  Diaz,  with  280;  San  Rafael  Zaragoza,  with  278,  and  San  Pablo 
Hidalgo,  with  208. 

The  colonies  founded  by  authorized  companies  were  20  in  1900,  as 
follows: 

Founded  by  authorized  persons. 


Colony. 

Location. 

Number  of  colo- 
nists. 

Total. 

District,  etc. 

State. 

Mexican. 

Foreign- 
ers. 

Japonesa  de  Excuintla  . . . 

58 

120 

344 
39 
678 
603 
206 
711 
112 
98 

326 
69 
12 
18 

100 

58 

[Eastern  Coast 

Moctezuma . 

Huauchinango 

120 

344 

39 

( 

678 

Diaz 

37 

640 

J 

Guerrero 

do 

Ensenada  Todos  San- 
tos. 

do 

Dublan 

I           59 

770 
112 

....do... 

98 

Carlos  Pacheeo 

Lower  California 

do 

54 
4 

380 

70 

12 

Tlahualillo 

18 

Monclova 

Distrito  Norte 

100 

6 

32 

6 

6 

Cafetera  de  Simojovel 

Chiapas 

do 

32 

31 

37 

Total 

198 

3,525 

3,723 

The  number  of  titles  issued  by  the  Government  to  colonists  in  the 
Federal  colonies,  from  January  1,  1897,  to  December  31,  1901,  was, 
according  to  official  figures,  103,  covering  an  area  of  5,421  hectares, 
amounting  to  $21,173. 

New  concessions. — The  latest  important  concession  made  by  the  Gov- 
ernment for  the  purpose  of  colonization  was  granted  to  the  Blalock 
Colony  Company,  by  which  this  organization  is  authorized,  to  establish 
on  the  land  it  owns,  under  the  name  of  "  El  Chamal,"  in  the  municipality 
of  Santa  Barbara,  State  of  Tamaulipas,  an  agricultural  and  industrial 
colony.  According  to  the  terms  of  the  concession  the  company  binds 
itself  to  settle  upon  the  Chamal  estate  within  two  years  from  the  date 
of  the  promulgation  of  the  concession,  at  least  100  families  of  colonists, 
whose  members  in  the  aggregate  shall  not  be  less  than  250  persons. 
These  colonists  shall  settle  upon  alternate  lots,  leaving  a  lot  of  10  hec- 
tares between  settlers,  so  that  the  Mexican  Government  may  on  its 
own  account  establish  in  the  intervening  lots  colonists  of  Mexican 
nationality,  who  will  be  entitled  to  acquire  land  at  tne  same  price 


'MA  MEXICO. 

charged  to  the  company's  colonists,  the  only  condition  being  thai  the 
persons  thus  settled  shall  be  peaceable  and  law-abiding  people.  For 
purposes  <>t'  colonization  a  "  family"  will  be  understood  to  be: 

••A  husband  and  wife,  with  or  without  children. 

■"A  father  or  mother,  with  one  or  more  descendents,  subject  to 
parental  authority. 

"Brothers  and  sisters,  one  being  of  age  and  the  other  or  others 
minors." 

The  company  binds  itself  to  sell  or  give  to  each  family  our  or  more 
of  the  plots  for  cultivation.  n>  well  as  a  site  for  a  residence,  the  plot 
to  be  of  a  minimum  area  of  10  hectares,  and  the  residence  site  will 
have  a  minimum  area  of  2,000  meters.  The  company  hinds  itself 
to  deliver  to  the  head  of  each  family  a  provisional  title  deed  to  the 
plot  of  land  for  cultivation  and  the  house  site  assigned  to  him,  said 
head  of  a  family  being  obliged  to  cultivate  the  former  for  five  years  in 
order  to  obtain  the  title  deed  in  fee  simple.  In  the  event  of  the  colo- 
nist preferring  to  pay  to  the  company  the  price  of  the  land,  the  company 
may  at  once  execute  the  deed  of  sale  without  the  limitation  above 
referred  to.  For  each  of  the  families  required  to  he  established  by 
the  concession,  and  which  the  company  fails  to  so  establish,  the  com- 
pany will  pay  a  fine  of  l"11  pesos  in  bonds  of  the  public  debt. 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  article  7  of  the  law  of  coloniza- 
tion in  force,  the  colonists  settled  by  the  concessionaire  companj  will 
enjoy  for  ten  years,  counted  from  the  date  of  the  settlement  of  each 
family,  the  following  franchises: 

Exemption  from  military  service;  exemption  from  all  kinds  of  taxes, 
with  the  exception  of  municipal  taxes  and  the  stamp  tax:  personal  and 
untransferable  exemption  from  import  duties  on  agricultural  imple- 
ments, tools  and  fixtures,  machinery,  building  materials  for  houses, 
furniture  in  use.  animals  for  draft  and  breeding  purposes,  all  destined 
for  the  colony,  the  importation  of  the  animals  being  subject  to  the 
provisions  contained  in  the  circulars  of  the  Department  of  Promotion, 
dune  '.».  L893;  persona]  and  untransferable  exemption  from  export 
duties  on  product^  raised  by  the  colonists,  and  exemption  from  the 
fees  on  the  legalization  of  signatures,  and  the  issuance  of  passports 
made  out  by  consular  agents  to  individuals  coining  to  Mexico  to  join 
the  colony.  The  duration  of  the  concession  will  be  ten  years  from  the 
date  of  it-  promulgation. 

Another  important  contract  has  been  made  by  the  "East  Coast  of 
Yucatan  Colonization  Company,"  for  the  establishment  in  the  Terri- 
tory of  Quintana  Boo,  from  60  to  150  families. 

For  the  purposes  of  the  contract,  a  ''family"  will  he  considered  to 
be  a  household  in  which  there  is  at  least  one  able-bodied  male  worker. 
The  company  will  grant  to  the  colonists  free  passage  to  the  lands,  an 
advance  of  from  $10  to  $20  gold,  a  dwelling,  agricultural  implements, 


NEW    CONCESSIONS.  375 

a  team  of  oxen,  and  other  domestic  animals  and  fowls,  as  specified. 
The  colonists  will  also  be  furnished  with  articles  of  general  consump- 
tion at  equitable  prices,  and  firewood  may  be  cut  from  the  forests, 
reservation,  however,  being  made  in  the  case  of  cabinet  woods.  Free 
medicine  will  also  be  supplied  in  case  of  illness  on  the  part  of  the 
colonists.  The  colonists  will  engage  in  tropical  agriculture,  but,  in 
addition  to  cultivating  and  improving  their  own  tracts,  they  may 
also  work  for  the  company  for  wages  that  can  not  be  less  than  $1 
(Mexican)  per  da}^. 

Contracts  have  been  made  during  the  first  half  of  the  fiscal  year 
1903-4,  for  colonization  in  land  in  the  State  of  Chihuahua,  and  the 
settlement  of  Boer  families.  Efforts  are  being  made  to  settle  Porto 
Rican  families  in  Tabasco  and  on  the  Gulf  coast,  according  to  President 
Diaz's  message  to  Congress,  April  1,  1904. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

EDUCATION— RELIGION— PROTESTANT   MISSIONS. 

Education  in  Mexico  has  been  for  many  year.-  the  subject  of  serious 
consideration  <>n  the  part  of  the  Government,  on  account  of  the  diffi- 
culty experienced  in  combating  the  conservative  ideas  prevailing  in 
the  Republic.  The  main  obstacles  have,  however,  been  overcome,  and 
the  country  to-day  enjoys  the  benefit  of  a  liberal  system  of  education. 
which  is  administered  under  three  brandies — gratuitous,  lay,  and  obli- 
gatory. Laws  have  been  enacted,  normal  schools  for  both  sexes  have 
been  established,  and  in  order  to  still  further  extend  the  benefits  to  be 
derived  from  a  uniform  educational  system  throughout  the  whole 
country,  the  Government  convoked  the  various  States  for  a  National 
Congress  of  Education.  The  labors  of  this  congress  resulted  in  the 
grading  of  educational  facilities  from  primary  or  children's  schools  to 
higher  grades  and  special  institution-  of  learning;  the  preparation  of 
general  plans  of  study  for  all  grades;  the  division  of  the  subjects 
taught  into  annual  courses:  also  provided  for  the  unrestricted  select  ion 
of  the  latest  and  most  improved  methods  of  instruction  suitable  to  each 
grade;  and,  in  short,  for  the  examination  and  choice  of  whatever  sys- 
tems, either  technical  or  administrative,  which  might  be  deemed  suita- 
ble to  the  ends  for  which  the  congress  was  convened. 

The  Executive  at  that  time  laid  before  Congress  the  plan  of  a  reform 
of  the  law  of  March  21,  L891,  placing  elemental  tuition  under  the  care 
of  municipalities  and  obliging  them  to  establish  at  least  one  school  for 
each  4,000  inhabitants.  This  law  obtained  the  approval  of  Congress, 
and  by  virtue  thereof  the  municipal  schools  of  the  Federal  district 
and  of  the  Territories  came  under  Federal  jurisdiction.  The  superior 
board  of  primary  education  (Direccion  Superior  de  Instruecion  Pri- 
maria)  was  also  created  for  the  reorganization,  superintendence,  and 
management  of  said  institutions. 

Legislation. — The  law  making  education  compulsory  was  promul- 
gated March  23,  1888,  but  its  enforcement  was  not  decreed  at  that  time, 
and  the  first  Congress  of  Public  Education  was  convened  for  the  purpose 
of  adopting  such  measures  as  should  tend  to  establish  an  efficient  and 
uniform  system  of  education.  This  congress  met  on  December  1, 1889, 
and  closed  its  sessions  on  March  .31,  1890,  after  having  passed  on  and 
approved  121  questions,  the  principal  being  the  establishment  of  a 
national  system  of  popular  education  based  on  the  uniformity  of  obli- 
gatory, gratuitous,  and  laical  primary  education,  children  from  6  to  12 
376 


LAW    OF   PUBLIC    INSTRUCTION.  377 

years  of  age  to  be  given  an  elementary  primary  education  embracing 
four  courses  or  scholastic  years.  The  general  programme  for  elemental 
primary  obligatory  education  embraces  practical  morals,  civic  or  laical 
instruction,  the  national  language  (including  writing  and  reading), 
object  lessons,  arithmetic,  the  principles  of  physical  and  natural  sci- 
ences, geography,  history  of  the  country,  practical  notions  of  geometiy, 
drawing,  singing,  gymnastics,  and  for  girls,  sewing,  etc.  Resolu- 
tions were  passed  relating  to  rural  schools,  itinerant  teachers,  kinder- 
gartens, etc.,  and  it  was  declared  indispensable  that  education  for 
adults  should  be  provided  for  in  cases  where  persons  had  been  unable 
to  receive  instruction  during  childhood.  Education  was  also  declared 
compulsory  in  soldiers'  barracks,  jails,  penitentiaries,  and  institutions 
of  correction.  Superior  primary  education  was  declared  compulsory 
for  students  desiring  to  enter  preparatory  and  professional  schools 
which  did  not  exact  a  secondaiy  education,  the  period  required  for 
this  branch  being  two  years.  Several  other  measures  of  similar  import 
were  also  passed. 

A  second  congress  was  convened  on  December  1,  1890,  which  solved 
certain  problems  on  compulsoiy  elemental  educatiou,  fixed  the  methods 
to  be  followed  in  the  schools  of  superior  primary  education,  -and  set- 
tled matters  pertaining  to  normal  schools,  preparatory  education,  and 
special  schools.  As  a  result  of  this  congress,  the  law  of  March  21, 
1891,  was  enacted,  regulating  compulsory  education  in  the  Federal 
district  and  the  Territories  of  Tepic  and  lower  California,  which  law 
became  effective  on  Januaiy  17,  1892. 

The  primary  schools  previously  supported  by  the  Government  were 
those  which  were  under  the  care  of  the  Compania  Lancasteriana,  which, 
since  1822,  had  been  working  earnestl}r  and  unceasingly  for  gratuitous 
public  education.  The  methods  employed,  though  formerly  excellent, 
had  become  obsolete,  and  by  the  act  of  March  29,  1890,  the  Govern- 
ment resolved  to  bring  these  schools  directly  under  the  protection  and 
jurisdiction  of  the  nation.  They  were  consequently  placed  under  the 
supervision  of  the  Department  of  Justice  and  Public  Education,  the 
Treasuiy  being  ordered  to  take  charge  of  all  buildings  and  moneys 
used  in  the  maintenance  of  the  institutions,  as  they  were  in  reality  the 
property  of  the  Republic. 

Law  of  public  instruction. — On  Ma}r  19,  1896,  the  law  of  public 
education  was  promulgated,  its  salient  points  being  as  follows: 

Official  primary  elemental  education  in  the  Federal  district  and 
Federal  Territories  was  placed  under  the  exclusive  control  of  the 
Executive;  primary  superior  education  was  organized  as  an  interme- 
diate educational  s}rstem  between  elementary  and  preparatory  instruc- 
tion. A  general  board  of  primary  education  was  created,  charged  to 
develop  and  maintain  the  same  under  a  scientific  and  administrative 
plan.     Preparatorv  education  was  decreed  to  be  uniform  for  all  pro- 


378 


Ml  \!<  <>. 


Sessions,  its  extent  being  limited  to  the  study  of  such  matters  as  are 
necessary  to  the  development  of  the  physical  and  intellectual  faculties 
and  tin'  morals  of  youth,  it  being  further  directed  that  professional 
education  be  reorganized,  limiting  it  to  technical  matters  which  per 
tain  to  the  profession  or  professions  to  which  each  particular  school 

is  devoted. 

By  virtue  of  this  law  public  education  ceased  to  lie  in  charge  of  the 
hoard  of  aldermen  (ayuntamientos)  of  the  above-mentioned  sections. 
At  the  time  of  its  promulgation  the  municipality  of  Mexico  contained 
113  schools  supported  by  the  hoard  of  aldermen.  1.4,246  students  being 
entered  on  the  rolls  with  an  average  attendance  of  9,798. 

Each  State  defrays  the  expenses  of  public  education,  either  with 
funds  specially  appropriated  for  that  purpose  or  with  the  municipal 
funds. 

Institutions.  -  In  L876  there  were  throughout  the  country  8,165 
primary  schools,  with  368,754  students  of  both  sexes.  Id  L895  Gov- 
ernment schools  reached  the  number  of  4,056,  of  which  2,189  were  for 
males,  1,119  for  females,  and  74s  for  both  sexes;  municipal  schools 
numbered  3,3!»4  for  males.  1,754;  females.  932;  both  sexes.  708. 
These  comprised  7,380  primary,  32  secondary,  and  35  professional 
schools,  the  number  of  students  enrolled  being  310,496  males  and 
181,484  females  (a  total  of  491,980),  and  the  mean  attendance  338,066. 
The  total  cost  to  the  Government  and  the  municipalities  for  the  main- 
tenance of  these  institution-  w:i»  *•">.'.' 7  H.  738.  In  the  same  year  private 
schools  to  the  number  of  L.816  were  being  conducted,  659  for  males, 
460  for  females,  and  the  remainder  under  a  coeducational  system.  In 
addition.  276  were  supported  by  the  clergy  and  146  by  associations, 
the  total  number  of  students  enrolled  being  ''>v.s7'.i,  of  which  40,135 
were  males  and  l's.744  females.  The  total  number  of  private  schools 
was  accordingly  2,238,  of  which  2,193  were  devoted  to  primary  edu- 
cation. 34  to  secondary  instruction,  and  11  to  professions. 

The  total  number  of  schools  in  1900  and  L901  and  the  average  attend- 
ance are  shown  in  the  following  table: 


Schools. 


1900. 


Total. 


!'■  dt  ral  and  municipal  institutions. 

Primary 9, 363 

Secondary  and  preparatory 41 

Professional |  60 

Private  institutio 

Supported  by  the  clergy 493 

Supported  b'v  associations 152 

Private  schools 2, 068 


Grand  total 12,177 


\\  evage 
attend- 
ance. 


479, 785 
5,405 
5,337 


117,543 


Total. 


9,491 
42 
62 


|  477 
\  173 
I  1,995 


Average 
attend- 
ance. 


'■.  184 

6,024 


124,257 


608,070     12,240  I      613,951 


INSTITUTIONS. 


379 


Official  figures  for  1902  show  the  following'  data: 


Shools. 


Male. 


Female. 


Mixed. 


Total. 


Average 
attend- 
ance. 


Federal,  Slate,  and  municipal  institutions. 


Primary 

Secondary  and  preparatory 
Professional 


Private  institutions. 


Supported  by  the  clergy... 
Supported  by  associations. 
Private  schools 


4,856 
30 
30 


346 
56 
618 


2,499 
11 
11 


256 
64 
413 


1,924 
5 
12 


103 
56 

278 


9, 279 
46 
63 


702 

176 

1,579 


498,616 
5,808 
4,672 


122,161 


Total 


5,936 


3, 254 


2,378 


11,835 


631,257 


The  State  of  Mexico  is  not  represented  in  the  ''Anuario  Estadistico', 
for  1902,  used  in  the  compilation  of  the  above  table,  but  for  statistical 
purposes  the  figures  corresponding  to  the  year  1901  have  been  added. 

The  number  of  students  enrolled  in  the  Federal,  State,  and  municipal 
schools  was,  for  the  primary  schools,  115,197  males  and  211,162 
females,  or  a  total  of  659,359;  secondary  and  preparatory  schools, 
5,014  males,  2,303  females,  total,  7,317;  and  in  the  professional  insti- 
tutions, 6,610  males  and  2,131  females,  giving  a  total  of  9,071,  making 
a  grand  total  of  675,780  scholars  for  the  Government  schools.  Those 
enrolled  in  the  private  institutions  were  83,830  males  and  66,117 
females,  or  a  total  of  119,917,  thus  showing  that  the  total  number  of 
scholars  enrolled  in  all  the  educational  institutions  of  the  country  in 
1902  amounted  to  825,727. 

The  expenses  connected  with  the  branch  of  the  Government  service 
during  the  same  year  amounted  to  $6,595,000,  in  round  numbers, 
there  being  15,229  emplo3Tees,  including  superintendents,  principals, 
and  teachers  of  both  sexes. 

In  addition  to  the  normal  and  primary  schools,  the  Government  also 
supports  many  other  institutions,  among  which  the  principal  are  the 
following:  School  of  jurisprudence,  school  of  medicine,  school  of  agri- 
culture and  veterinary  instruction,  school  of  engineers,  school  of  fine 
arts,  school  of  arts  and  trades  for  men,  and  a  similar  institution  for 
women;  school  of  commerce  and  administration,  National  conservatory 
of  music,  preparatory  school,  schools  for  the  blind,  for  deaf-mutes, 
reform  schools,  naval  and  military  schools,  etc.,  besides  22  museums 
and  61  libraries,  containing  from  500  to  180,000  volumes. 

In  his  last  message  to  Congress,  April  1,  1901,  President  Diaz 
makes  the  following  statements  with  reference  to  education: 

"The  last  school  census,  taken  at  the  end  of  1902,  shows  that  in  the 
Federal  District  there  were  51,052  children  of  school  age,  and  15,700 
in  the  Territories.  The  Government  has  at  present  198  schools,  of 
which  337  are  in  the  Federal  District,  103  in  the  Territory  of  Tepic, 
15  in  Lower  California,  and  13  in  Quintana  Roo. 


880  MKXK'o. 

u The  Government  makes  constant  efforts  to  improve  the  standard 
of  education  and  to  enforce  the  piece])!  of  compulsory  education. 
Last  year  8,000  parents  or  guardians  were  fined  for  neglect,  after 
being  admonished  once  to  send  t<>  school  the  minors  for  whose  educa- 
tion they  are  responsible." 

The  Government  has  sent  to  New  York,  to  study  the  best  systems 
of  manual  training,  a  special  commissioner  to  gather  information  and 
all  necessary  data  to  develop  manual  training  in  Mexico.  A  dental 
faculty  has  been  created  for  the  first  time. 

.I///*,  urns. — There  are  throughout  the  couutry  37  museums.  8  devoted 
to  archaeology  and  antiquities.  8  to  natural  history:  3  medical  museums, 
one  each  devoted  to  physical  science,  geology  and  mineralogy,  agri- 
culture, industries,  and  commerce,  and  13  to  miscellaneous  object-. 

Libraries. — The  total  number  of  libraries  is  124,  the  principal  being 
the  Biblioteca  Nacional  in  Mexico  City,  with  180,000  volumes;  Biblio- 
teca  Publica  de  Guadalajara,  State  of  Jalisco,  53,000;  Biblioteca  del 
Seminario,  Morelia,  Michoac&n,  32,000;  Biblioteca  Palafoxiana, 
Puebla,  27,000;  Biblioteca  Lafragua,  Puebla,  24,000,  and  Biblioteca  del 
Colegio  del  Estado,  Guanajuato,  21,000. 

Scientific  and  Zitentr//  Associations. — The  number  of  these  institu- 
tions on  December  31,  1902,  was  44.  of  which  15  were  supported  by 
the  Government. 

Publications.  — Official  statistics  show  that  there  are  4TT  newspapers 
printed  in  the  Republic,  as  follows:  In  the  Federal  District.  L46;  in 
Jalisco,  44;  in  Miehoacan,  :»L;  in  Tamaulipas,  23;  in  Veracruz,  23;  in 
Chihuahua.  21;  in  Puebla.  L8;  in  Guanajuato,  L8;  in  Yucatan,  L6;  in 
Coahuila.  L6;  in  Sonora,  14;  in  Sinaloa,  11;  in  Durango,  11;  in  San 
Luis  Potosi,  '.';  in  Nuevo  Leon.  9;  in  Colima,  8;  in  Zacatecas,  7:  in 
the  State  of  Mexico,  6;  in  Oaxaca,  6;  in  Aguascalientes,  ■>:  in  Lower 
California.  .">;  in  Hidalgo,  4;  in  Tlascala,  •"':  in  Campeche,  '■'>:  in  Gue- 
rrero. 3;  in  Morelos,  3;  and  in  Chiapas,  1.  This  gives  a  measure  of 
the  progress  attained  by  the  different  States  of  the  Republic.  Of  these 
only  L39  are  considered  first-class  publications,  as  follows:  In  the 
Federal  District.  57;  in  Jalisco,  .">;  in  Miehoacan.  3;  in  Tamaulipas.  2; 
in  Veracruz,  5;  in  Chihuahua,  7:  in  Puebla,  2;  in  Guanajuato,  1;  in 
Yucatan.  8;  in  Coahuila.  »'.;  in  Sonora.  7;  in  Sinaloa,  7;  in  Durango, 
3;  in  Aguascalientes,  1:  in  Hidalgo.  1;  in  Guerrero,  1:  in  Tabasco,  1; 
in  Campeche.  1;  in  Guerrero,  1:  and  in  Morelos.  1. 

The  Dumber  of  publications  entered  in  the  Mexican  post-office  dur- 
ing L902  was  273,  divided  as  follows:  Two  hundred  and  sixty  printed 
in  Spanish,  7  in  English.  4  English  and  Spanish,  and  2  Italian.  There 
were  20  daily  papers,  147  weeklies.  39  monthlies,  35  fortnightly,  9 
biweekly,  1  quarterly,  and  22  published  at  different  times.  As  regards 
the  character  of  these  publications  the  division  is  as  follows:  Three 


RELIGION.  381 

official,  61  political,  21  religious,  26  scientific.  53  literary,  61  general 
information,  12  commercial,  22  artistic,  4  musical,  and  9  miscellaneous. 

RELIGION. 

Roman  Catholic  Church. — The  prevailing*  religion  in  Mexico  is  the 
Roman  Catholic,  the  church  being  governed  by  a  number  of  arch- 
bishops and  bishops.  The  foundation  of  the  church  in  the  country  ma}' 
be  said  to  date  back  to  1517,  in  which  year  Yucatan  was  discovered  by 
Don  Francisco  Hernandez  de  CordoAa,  a  rich  Cuban  merchant.  Cor- 
dova, with  110  Spaniards,  reached  Cape  Catoche  during  April  of  1517, 
and  soon  gave  battle  to  the  inhabitants,  killing  15  and  capturing  2. 
The  invaders  were  accompanied  by  a  priest  named  Alonzo  Gonzales,  a 
native  of  Santo  Domingo,  who  during  the  engagement  carried  from 
a  heathen  temple  the  idols  therein  preserved  and,  the  tight  ended, 
made  the  temple  a  Christian  church,  dedicating  it  under  the  invocation 
of  Nuestra  Senora  de  los  Remedios  (Our  Lady  of  Succor),  the  patron 
saint  of  the  Spaniards.  The  two  captives,  named  Melchor  and  Julian, 
were  purged  of  their  sins,  baptized,  and  made  Christians,  becoming 
the  first  converts  of  the  New  World. 

Pope  Leo  X,  by  bull  of  January  27,  1518,  created  the  bishopric  of 
Yucatan,  appointing  to  the  see  the  Dominican  Fray  Julian  Garces,  at 
the  time  bishop  of  Cuba,  but  he  never  entered  his  diocese,  owing  to 
the  Spanish  conquest  extending  at  the  time  into  Mexico,  and  operations 
in  Yucatan  being  abandoned.  On  October  13,  1525,  Pope  Clement 
VII  appointed  Garces  to  the  newly  created  see  of  Puebla,  under  the 
official  title  of  bishop  of  Puebla,  Yucatan,  Chiapas,  and  Oaxaca. 

The  first  bishop  of  Mexico,  with  the  title  of  bishop-elect  and  pro- 
tector of  the  Indians,  was  Fray  Juan  de  Zumarraga.  This  functionary 
destroyed  many  of  the  ancient  picture  writings  of  the  Aztecs.  He 
arrived  in  Veracruz  in  December,  1528,  and  was  made  bishop  of  Mexico, 
suffragan  to  the  archbishop  of  Seville,  by  bull  of  September  2,  1530. 
In  1545  the  Mexican  bishopric  was  made  independent,  and  by  bull  of 
January  31,  1545,  it  was  erected  into  an  archbishopric,  with  bishop 
Zumarraga  as  archbishop.  In  the  year  1571  the  archbishop  of  Mexico 
was  made  primate  of  New  Spain,  and  on  March  16,  1863,  Pius  IX 
divided  the  Mexican  church  into  three  archdioceses.  These  were  the 
eastern,  or  that  of  Mexico;  the  central,  or  that  of  Michoacan;  and  the 
western,  or  that  of  Guadalajara.  The  various  bishoprics  of  Mexico 
are  suffragan  to  these  archbishoprics. 

The  Holy  Office  of  the  Inquisition  founded  its  first  tribunal  in  the 
City  of  Mexico  in  the  year  1571,  with  Don  Pedro  Moya  de  Contreras 
as  Inquisitor-general  of  New  Spain,  Guatemala,  and  the  Philippine 
Islands.  The  first  burning  place  in  the  City  of  Mexico  was  situated 
near  the  church  of  San  Diego,  upon  land  now  included  in  the  Ala- 


:\*>2 


MEXICO. 


meda.  The  first  auto-darfe  took  place  in  1574,  when  twenty-one  per- 
sona  were  incinerated  for  the  cause  of  religion. 

On  May  31,  1820,  the  inquisition  was  suppressed  forever  in  Mexico. 
The  last  auto-da-fe  took  place  on  November  i't',,  1S15,  the  accused 
being  the  patriot  Morelos,  who,  having  beeD  turned  over  to  the  secu- 
lar authorities,  was  shot  on  December  22,  1815. 

The  finest  edifices  in  the  Republic  were  erected  by  the  Roman  Catho- 
lics, and  it  is  estimated  that  up  to  1859  one-third  of  the  real  and  per- 
gonal property  was  owned  by  the  church.  The  cathedral- and  churches, 
convents  and  monasteries,  were  solidly,  massively  built,  and  the  inte- 
riors of  the  cathedrals  and  churches  were  magnificently  decorated. 
gold  and  silver  being  lavishly  employed  in  embelishing  them. 

The  three  orders  of  the  Franciscans,  Dominicans,  and  Jesuits  were 
the  most  prominent  in  firmly  fixing  the  power  of  Spain  in  Mexico  and 
fostering  learning  in  the  land,  but  the  absorption  of  so  considerable  a 
portion  of  the  wealth  of  the  colony  and  the  blocking  of  the  channels 
of  trade  consequent  on  the  locking  up  of  capital  brought  about  the 
suppression  of  religious  orders  in  the  Republic  The  Jesuits  were 
finally  expelled  from  the  country  in  LS5«>,  and  all  the  remaining  orders 
had  been  abolished  on  Mexican  territory  by  December  ~2~.  1860,  through 
the  efforts  of  the  liberal  forces  headed  by  Juarez.  The  laws  of 
reform  incorporated  into  the  Federal  constitution  December  14.  1*74, 
suppressed  the  last  remaining  female  religious  establishments — the 
Sisters  of  Charity. 

The  number  of  vicarages  and  parishes.  Roman  Catholic  churches  and 
chapels  in  Mexico  in  is'.iT.  i-  given  in  the  following  table: 


Diocese. 


Archbishopric  oi  Mexico 

Bishi  i]<t\c.  of  Puebla 

Bishopric  <'f  <  taxaca 

Bishopric  <>i  Chiapas 

Bishopric  oi  Yucatan 

Bishopric  of  Tabasco 

Bishopric  of  Tulanclngo 

Bishopric  of  Veracruz 

Bishopric  of  Chilapa 

Bishopric  of  Tamaulipas 

Archbishopric  <>f  Michoacan 

Bishopric  of  San  Luis  Potosi 

Bishopric  ol  Quere'taro 

Bishopric  of  Leon 

Bishopric  of  Zamora 

Archbishopric  of  Guadalajara 

Bishopric  of  iMirango 

Bishopric  of  Linares 

Bishopric  of  Bonora 

Bishopric  of  Zacatecas 

Vicarage  Apostolic  of  Lower  California 

Total 


Mexico 

Puebla 

<  texaca 

San  Cristobal 

Merida 

San  Juan  Bautista . 

Tulancingo 

Jalapa 

Chilapa 

Ciudad  Victoria... 
Morelia 

San  Luis 

Quere'taro 

Leon 

Zamora 

Guadalajara 

Durango  

Monterey 

Culiacan 

Zacatecas  


Vicarages 
and  par- 
ishes. 


203 
1ST 
134 
40 
84 
12 
70 
fit 
76 
39 
58 
53 
29 
23 
36 
106 
45 
36 
65 
20 


1,3)9 


Churches 

and 
chapels. 


Total. 


1,654 
2,518 
1,000 
500 
234 
100 
400 
100 
879 
11 
300 
171 
107 
100 
100 
878 
2.50 
186 
200 
100 


1 .  857 
2,700 
1,134 
540 
318 
112 
470 
164 
451 
K0 
358 
204 
136 
123 
136 
182 
295 
171 
256 
120 


10,112 


OTIIEK    RELIGIONS. 


Independence  of  thought  in   religion  may  be  said  to  have  had  its 
beginning  in  Mexico  as  far  back  as  the  year  1770,  when  Bishop  Fabian, 


CHRISTIAN    CHURCH.  383 

of  Puebla,  under  the  auspices  of  Archbishop  (afterwards  Cardinal) 
Lorenzana,  published  his  "  Missa  Gothica  seu  Mozarabica,"  which  was 
a  liturgy  used  in  Spain  by  the  Gothic  Christians  prior  to  the  adoption 
of  the  Roman  liturgy.  Liberal  ideas  grew  very  slowly,  but  received 
considerable  impulse  when,  in  1824,  Mexico  gained  her  independence 
from  the  mother  country.  Juarez  and  the  "laws  of  reform"  further 
invigorated  these  ideas,  which  grew  more  and  more  until  about  1860, 
when  the  first  Protestant  missionary,  Miss  Matilde  Rankin,  commenced 
her  labors  in  the  Mexican  field,  which  resulted  in  a  short  time  in  the 
formation  of  11  Protestant  congregations. 

Christian  Church. — The  first  movement  toward  the  formation  of  a 
Christian  Church  distinct  from  the  Roman  Catholic  which  came  to  a 
successful  issue  was  begun  in  the  country  in  1868,  when  aid  was  asked 
of  Protestants  in  the  United  States.  The  aid  being*  afforded,  there 
was  organized  in  1869  in  the  City  of  Mexico  what  was  called  "The 
Church  of  Jesus  in  Mexico,"  which,  however,  was  not  the  result  of 
missionary  work  so  much  as  "a  spontaneous  movement  originating 
among  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  "  in  the  country  who 
desired  "  a  greater  liberty  of  conscience,  a  purer  worship,  and  a  better 
church  organization." 

The  Rev.  Henry  C.  Riley,  a  clergymen  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States,  went  to  Mexico,  in  1869,  and  entered 
heartily  into  the  work  of  "The  Church  of  Jesus."  In  the  same  year 
the  great  Church  of  San  Francisco,  as  well  as  the  chapel  of  Balvanera, 
were  purchased  by  the  Protestants,  and  services  were  conducted  therein 
in  Spanish  and  English. 

These  buildings,  formerly  Roman  Catholic  churches,  were  purchased 
at  an  expense  of  $50,000,  and  in  addition  to  this,  during  the  five  years 
that  the  society  continued  in  charge  of  the  work,  more  than  $83,000 
were  expended  in  the  support  of  missionaries.  More  than  3,000  per- 
sons connected  themselves  with  the  movement,  and  in  1873  the  society 
deemed  it  expedient  to  transfer  the  work  to  the  board  of  missions  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  Subsequent  to  this  the  Reverend  Doctor 
Riley  was  consecrated  bishop  of  the  Valley  of  Mexico;  but  in  April, 
1881,  after  Bishop  Riley's  resignation,  the  American  bishops  recognized 
the  Cuerpo  Eclesidstico,  composed  of  the  clergy  and  readers,  as  the 
ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  Mexican  Church. 

The  Church  of  San  Francisco  is  a  historic  building.  It  was  dedi- 
cated December  8, 1716,  but  the  original  monastery  and  church,  whose 
site  this  edifice  occupied,  was  built  about  1607  on  lands  which  had 
formerby  been  the  garden  and  wild-beast  house  of  the  kings  of  Tenoch- 
titlan.  Cortes  provided  funds  for  the  building  of  the  first  church, 
and  material  was  secured  in  the  hewn  stone  from  the  steps  of  the  great 
Teocalli  (the  Aztec  temple).  In  this  church  Cortes  heard  masses,  and 
for  a  time  his  bones  found  a  resting  place.     Here  the  Spanish  viceroys, 


384  Mexico. 

through  the  centuries,  took  pari  in  the  great  festivals  of  the  church. 
The  ft  Deum  in  celebration  of  Mexican  independence  was  first  echoed 
by  its  walls.  Here  the  liberator,  Agustin  de  Yturbide,  worshipped, 
and  here  bis  funeral  services  were  held  when  he  died:  and  here,  to-day, 
Protestant  services  are  held. 

Three  churches  now  stand  on  portions  of  the  land  covered  by  what 
were  known  formerly  as  the  seven  churches  of  San  Francisco.  They 
are  the  Church  of  Jesus;  Christ  Church,  where  the  Bervices  of  the 
Church  of  England  are  held,  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
the  Trinity. 

In  1891  the  Mexican  Church  elected  the  presiding  bishop  of  the 
American  Church  as  the  provisional  bishop  of  the  former,  and  took  as 
its  name  "The  Mexican  Episcopal  Church  of  Jesus.**  The  general 
convention  has  commended  the  church  work  in  Mexico,  and  since  then 
the  Mexican  Church  has  reorganized  itself,  substituting  for  the  Ouerpo 
Edesidstico  a  synod  composed  of  the  clergy  and  lav  representatives 
from  the  congregations.  It  has  adopted  a  body  of  canons  for  its  gov- 
ernment and  has  also  officers  for  the  administration  of  baptism,  con- 
firmation, and  communion,  for  marriage  and  burial,  for  daily  morning 
and  evening  prayer,  etc.  Two  men  have  been  ordained  to  the  priest- 
hood  and  seven  to  the  deaconate. 

The  Mexican  Episcopal  Church  is  no  longer  an  American  mission, 
although  the  contributions  of  American  church  people  are  supporting 
the  work. 

The  church  has  stations  in  several  States  and  the  Federal  District, 
having  a  large  membership. 

Pr<sl,>/t,  r'um  Chin'fh.  The  missionary  work  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Mexico  began  in  1*74  and  to-day  is  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion, having  both  foreign  and  native  preachers,  missionaries,  churches, 
Sunday,  boarding  and  day  schools,  and  a  large  number  of  commu- 
nicants, adherents,  native  workers  and  pupils  in  the  schools. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South  laid  its  foundation  in  the  City  of  Mexico  in  1873.  There  are 
now  three  mission  conferences  in  Mexico,  representing  the  fruits  of 
unceasing  toil  and  heroic  devotion. 

This  church  claims  that  a  Mexican.  S6>tenes  Juarez,  was  the  first 
man  who  held  Protestant  services  in  Mexico.  That  in  1865  a  band  of 
seven  met  in  a  room  on  the  ( Salle  San  Jose  Real,  in  the  City  of  Mexico, 
and  organized  the  first  Protestant  Church  in  Mexico.  It  was  called 
The  Society  of  Christian  Friends. 

Data  kindly  furnished  by  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  show  a  very  tlourishing  condition  of  affairs.  This 
organization  has  in  Mexico  111  congregations.  15  churches,  38  parson- 
ages. 1  theological  school.  6  high  schools,  and  ">1  day  schools.  It 
employs  31  missionaries,  53  native  preachers,  and  65  teachers  in  its 


PROTESTANT    WORK.  385 

various  schools.  There  are  2,908  church  members,  over  12,000  adher- 
ents and  probationers,  TO  Sunday  schools  with  2,000  scholars,  while  in 
the  other  schools  there  are  3,300  students. 

The  value  of  the  church  property,  parsonage,  and  other  buildings  is 
about  $706,000. 

The  society  also  maintains  a  publishing  house  which  during  1002 
published  Sunday  school  lesson  papers,  hymnals,  tracts,  etc.,  to  the 
number  of  5,153,200  pages. 

Two  distinct  missionary  organizations  of  the  Baptists  of  the  United 
States  are  prosecuting  missionary  work  in  Mexico  independently  of 
each  other,  although  the  best  of  relations  exist  between  them.  These 
are  the  American  Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign 
Mission  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention. 

Statistics  of  the  Protestant  work  in  Mexico  for  1000,  kindly  fur- 
nished by  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,' 
show  that  during  the  year  in  reference  there  were  210  foreign  mission- 
aries, of  which  130  were  women;  517  native  workers  of  both  sexes; 
20,760  communicants;  17  adherents,  not  communicants,  making  a  total 
of  37,760  native  constituency.  There  were  434:  substations,  lis  day 
schools  with  7,073  pupils,  18  higher  institutions  with  2,217  students, 
and  4  hospitals  or  dispensaries. 
509a— 04 25 


CII  A  PT  E  R  XVII. 

PATENT  AND  TRADE-MARK  LAWS. 

The  Bret  patent  law  of  Mexico  was  trained  and  issued  in  1S32,  but 
it  was  not  until  lNNt;  that  any  remarkable  activity  was  noted  in  this 
branch  of  development,  as  in  the  years  intervening  between  L832  and 
Is;,.",  not  a  single  patent  was  granted.  From  1854  to  L875  the  entire 
number  issued  was  only  41;  from  1*7(1  to  lss:>  there  were  :-J*»0;  102  in 
1886,  and  from  that  time  until  L889  the  patent  grants  numbered  406. 

The  patent  law  of  June  7.  L890,  amended  dune  6,  L896,  has  been 
repealed  by  law  of  August  25,  1903,  now  in  force. 

PATENT   LAW. 

The  new  patent  law  of  the  Republic,  promulgated  August  25,  1903, 
contains  li^l  articles.     The  salient  points  of  the  law  are  the  following: a 

Anyone  who  has  made  any  new  invention  of  an  industrial  character 
may  acquire  the  exclusive  right,  by  virtue  of  the  provisions  of  articles 
28  and  85  of  the  Constitution,  to  exploit  or  work  said  invention  for 
his  benefit,  during  a  certain  term,  under  the  rules  and  conditions  pre 
scribed  by  law.  In  order  to  acquire  this  right  it  is  necessary  to  obtain 
a  patent  of  invention. 

The  following  are  patentable: 

I.  New  industrial  product-. 

II.  The  application  of  new  means  in  order  to  obtain  an  industrial 
product  or  result. 

III.  The  new  application  of  known  means  in  order  to  obtain  an 
industrial  product  or  result. 

The  following  are  not  patentable: 

I.  A.  discovery  or  invention  that  simply  consists  in  making  known 
or  rendering  evident  something  which  had  already  existed  in  nature, 
although  it  had  been  unknown  to  man  before  the  invention. 

II.  Every  scientific  principle  or  discovery  of  a  purely  speculative 
character. 

III.  Every  invention  or  discovery,  the  exploitation  of  which  ma}-  be 
contrary  to  the  laws  prohibiting  same,  to  public  safety  or  health,  and 
to  good  customs  or  morals. 

IV.  Chemical  products;  but  the  new  processes  to  obtain  said  prod- 
ucts, or  their  new  industrial  application,  shall  be  patentable. 

"The  full  English  text  of  tin-  patent  law  and  regulations  was  published  in  the 
Monthly  Bulletin  of  this  Bureau  for  December,  1903. 

386 


PATENT    LAW.  387 

An  invention  shall  not  be  considered  as  new  whenever  it  has  been 
put  in  use,  in  the  country  or  abroad,  before  the  application  of  the 
patent,  for  a  commercial  or  industrial  purpose,  or  when  it  has  been  so 
extensive^  published  as  to  become  of  use,  as  in  such  cases  it  shall  be 
regarded  as  public  property. 

In  the  following  cases  the  foregoing  provisions  shall  not  apply  to 
the  author  of  the  invention  nor  to  the  owner  of  the  patent  obtained 
abroad : 

I.  When  the  publicit}*-  is  derived  from  the  exhibition  of  the  inven- 
tion in  a  local,  State,  or  international  exposition,  official^  or  unoffi- 
cially recognized,  provided  that  before  its  exhibition  the  document 
prescribed  by  the  regulations  shall  be  deposited  in  the  Patent  Office 
and  the  proper  application  filed  in  said  office  within  three  months  after 
the  official  closing  of  the  exposition. 

II.  When  the  owner  of  a  foreign  patent  shall  file  his  application  for 
a  Mexican  patent  to  be  issued  within  a  period  of  three  months  from 
the  date  on  which,  in  accordance  with  the  law  of  the  country  in  which 
the  foreign  patent  was  issued,  the  invention  shall  be  made  public. 

In  case  there  are  two  or  more  foreign  patents,  the  term  of  three 
months  shall  be  reckoned  from  the  date  of  the  patent  which  was  first 
published. 

III.  Whenever  the  application  shall  be  filed  within  the  terms  speci- 
fied by  the  international  treaties  relating  to  the  matter,  or  within  the 
twelve  months  to  which  article  12  of  the  law  refers. 

The  owner  6f  a  patent  shall  have  the  exclusive  right: 

I.  To  exploit  or  work  the  same,  for  his  benefit,  during  the  time 
fixed  by  law,  either  by  himself  or  through  other  persons  with  his 
consent. 

II.  To  prosecute  before  the  courts  those  who  infringe  his  patent 
rights,  either  because  of  the  industrial  manufacture  of  the  patented 
article,  or  by  the  industrial  employment  or  use  of  the  patented  process 
or  method,  or  because  they  may  keep  in  their  possession  or  offer  for 
sale,  sell,  or  introduce  for  a  commercial  purpose  in  the  national  terri- 
tory, without  his  consent,  one  or  more  manufactured  articles. 

In  the  case  of  industrial  manufacture  the  intent  to  defraud  shall  not 
be  necessary  to  incur  in  a  penal  offense,  although  said  fraudulent  intent 
must  exist  in  the  other  cases  provided  for  in  Section  II. 

The  patent  shall  produce  no  effect  whatever. 

I.  Against  similar  articles  that  ma}r,  in  transit,  pass  through  the 
national  territory  or  tarry  in  its  territorial  waters. 

II.  Against  a  third  party  who  was  already  exploiting  the  same 
patented  article  in  the  country  prior  to  the  date  on  which  the  applica- 
tion for  the  patent  was  filed  or  on  which  he  had  made  the  necessary 
arrangements  to  exploit  it. 

III.  Against  a  third  party  who,  for  the  purpose  of  making  experi- 


MEXICO. 

menta  or  investigations,  should  construct  an  article  or  put  in  use  a 
process  equal,  <»r  substantially  equal,  to  the  patented  one. 

A  patent  may  be  granted  to  two  or  more  persons  jointly  should  it 

be  jointly  applied  for. 

Those  desiring  to  obtain  a  patent  shall  file  at  the  Patent  Office  an 
application,  accompanied  with  the  following  documents: 

I.  A  specification. 

II.  A  set  of  claims. 

III.  A  drawing  or  drawings,  should  the  case  require  it,  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  inventor. 

IV .  Two  copiesof  the  above  documents. 

The  Patent  Office  shall  make  an  official  examination  of  the  docu- 
ments tiled  in  order  to  determine  if  they  are  complete  and  whether 
they  comply  with  the  requisites  prescribed  by  the  proper  regulations 
concerning  the  form  thereof. 

If  upon  examination  the  Patent  Office  finds  that  said  documents  do 
not  comply  with  the  requirements,  or  that  the  article  or  thing  sought 
to  be  patented  is  not  patentable,  it  shall  dismiss  the  petition  and  so 
notify  the  interested  party.  If  this  is  not  satisfactory,  he  may  appeal 
to  the  courts  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Chapter  XII  of  the 
law.  Should  the  Patent  Office  he  satisfied  with  the  documents  filed, 
it  shall  so  notify  the  interested  party. 

The  legal  date  of  a  patent  is  that  of  the  legal  filing  in  the  Patent 
Office  of  the  application  and  documents  which  constitute  the  same; 
and  from  that  date  the  patent  is  supposed  to  be  granted  and  produce- 
its  legal  effects,  except  as  specified  above. 

The  legal  date  of  a  patent  solicited  in  Mexico,  and  which  has  already 
been  applied  for  by  the  same  person  in  one  or  more  foreign  countries, 
-hall  be  that  which  corresponds  to  the  foreign  patent  first  solicited, 
provided  that  it  he  applied  for  in  Mexico  within  twelve  months  from 
the  date  of  the  first  application  abroad,  if  it  is  a  patent  of  invention. 
and  within  four  months  from  tin1  same  date  if  the  application  is  by 
means  of  an  industrial  design  or  model,  and  provided  also  that  the 
foreign  country  in  which  it  was  first  applied  for  grants  this  same  right 
to  Mexican  citizens. 

Patent-  shall  be  granted  without  prejudice  to  third  parties  and 
without  guaranteeing  their  novelty  or  utility.  The  concession  thereof 
only  gives  a  presumption  of  said  qualities  and  of  the  rights  of  the 
owner  until  the  contrary  is  proven. 

Anv  person  other  than  the  author  of  an  invention  applying  for  a 
patent  must  prove  hi-  authority  a-  representative  or  attorney  of  the 
inventor  by  means  of  a  letter  of  authorization,  signed  by  the  inventor 
or  author  of  the  invention  and  two  witnesses.  The  Patent  Office, 
however,  reserves  the  right  to  demand  the  ratification  of  the  signa- 
tures whenever  it  should  deem  it  convenient  to  do  so. 


PATENT    LAW.  389 

Patents  of  invention  are  granted  for  a  term  of  twenty  years  from 
their  legal  date.  This  term  is  divided  into  two  terms,  the  first  con- 
sisting of  one  year  and  the  second  of  nineteen  years.  The  tax  for  the 
tirst  period,  or  one-}rear,  term  is  5  pesos,  and  for  the  second  term  35 
pesos.  The  regulations  shall  tix  the  Government  fees  for  issuing 
copies,  certified  copies,  renewal  of  title  deeds,  etc.  The  term  of  twenty 
years  may  be  extended  five  years  longer  at  the  discretion  of  the  Chief 
Executive  after  the  payment  of  the  proper  additional  fees.  To 
obtain  this  extension  an  application  must  be  filed  with  the  Patent 
Office  within  the  first  six  months  of  the  last  year  of  the  ordinary  term 
of  twenty  years,  as  required  by  law. 

The  exploitation  of  a  patent  is  not  obligatory,  but  if  after  three 
years  from  the  legal  date  thereof  said  patent  should  not  be  industrially 
exploited  within  the  national  territory,  or  if  after  these  three  years 
the  exploitation  of  the  same  shall  have  been  suspended  for  more  than 
three  consecutive  months,  the  Patent  Office  shall  have  the  right  to 
grant  to  third  parties  a  license  to  make  said  exploitation. 

The  owner  of  a  patent  has  the  right  to  prosecute  before  the  courts 
as  an  usurper  of  his  patent  rights  or  as  an  illegal  exploiter  thereof  the 
owner  of  a  license  granted  by  the  Patent  Office  who  had  not  commenced 
the  exploitation  within  the  term  of  two  months  fixed  by  law,  or  who 
had  suspended  the  exploitation  during  a  period  exceeding  two  con- 
secutive months,  and  who,  notwithstanding  said  fact,  had  been  exploit- 
ing said  patent,  except  when  said  suspension  of  the  exploitation  had 
been  caused  by  accident  or  by  main  force.  All  the  products  protected 
by  a  patent  shall  bear  a  mark  to  indicate  the  fact  that  the  article  is 
patented,  as  well  as  the  number  and  the  date  of  the  patent. 

Patents  shall  be  issued  by  the  Patent  Office  in  the  name  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Republic  and  be  signed  by  the  Secretary  of  Fomento. 
Patents  shall  state: 

The  number  of  the  patent, 

The  name  of  the  person  or  persons  to  whom  the  same  is  granted; 

The  term  of  the  patent; 

The  article  for  which  it  has  been  granted; 

Its  legal  date  and  the  date  of  its  issuance; 

And  to  the  patents  shall  be  affixed  the  special  seal  of  the  Patent 
Office. 

The  patent,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  specification,  the  claims, 
and  drawings,  should  there  be  any,  shall  constitute  the  title  deed 
which  shall  prove  the  rights  of  the  patentee. 

The  patent  protects  only  what  is  contained  in  the  claims,  the  speci- 
fications and  drawings,  if  any,  serving  only  to  explain  what  said  claims 
contain. 

The  Patent  Office  shall  publish  in  the  "Gaceta  Oficial  de  Patentes  y 
Marcas"  (Official  Gazette  of  Patents  and  Trade-Marks),  at  least  every 


390  MEXICO. 

two  months,  a  list  of  the  patents  granted,  and  at  least  annually  a 
special  hook  containing  the  claims  and  one  or  more  draw  ings  of  each 
patent. 

The  Patent  Office  shall.,  upon  request  of  the  interested  parties  con- 
cerning the  novelty  of  a  patent  applied  for,  make  an  examination 
without  guaranty,  and  report  in  writing  the  result  of  this  examina- 
tion, which  may  also  be  made  upon  the  request  of  any  person,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  whether  the  article  sought  to  be  patented  has 
already  been  patented,  or  whether  it  has  become  public  property  in 

Mexico. 

The  rights  acquired  by  virtue  of  a  patent  may  be  transferred,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  by  any  of  the  legal  means  established  by  law,  as*in 
the  case  of  any  other  right,  providing  it  does  not  injure  the  rights  of 
a  third  party. 

A  patent  of  invention  may  be  expropriated  by  the  Federal  Executive, 
on  the  ground  of  public  utility,  by  causing  the  respective  invention  to 
become  at  once  public  property,  after  due  indemnification,  subject  to 
the  same  requisites  established  by  the  lawr  for  the  expropriation  of 
real  estate. 

In  the  case  of  invention  of  a  new  weapon,  instrument  of  war, 
explosive,  or,  in  general,  of  any  improvement  in  machines  or  munitions 
of  war  which  may  be  applied  to  the  national  defense,  and  which,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  Chief  Executive,  should  be  kept  as  a  secret  of  war.  and 
therefore  only  be  used  by  the  National  Government,  said  expropri- 
ation shall  embrace  not  only  the  patent  but  also  the  invention,  even 
though  it  may  not  have  yet  been  patented.  In  this  case  said  invention, 
as  well  as  the  respective  patent,  shall  not  be  made  public,  but  it 
becomes  tin'  exclusive  property  of  the  Government. 

Patents  shall  be  considered  void — 

I.  At  the  expiration  of  the  first  term,  one  }Tear,  if  the  fees  of  the 
second  payment  have  not  been  paid. 

II.  Upon  the  expiration  of  the  second  term. 

III.  Upon  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  extension,  when  an  exten- 
sion has  been  granted. 

Patents  are  void — 

I.  Whenever  they  are  in  contravention  of  the  provisions  of  law. 

II.  When  the  claims  are  not  sufficiently  clear  and  explicit,  thereby 
rendering  it  difficult  or  impossible  to  determine  what  is  claimed  as 
new. 

III.  When  there  is  not  sufficient  clearness  and  precision  in  the  speci- 
fication and  drawings  so  that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  expert,  said  speci- 
fication  and  drawings  are  not  sufficient,  taken  as  a  whole,  to  construct 
or  produce  what  they  purport  to  describe. 

IV.  Whenever  the  object  attained  by  virtue  of  the  patent  differs 
from  that  sought  to  be  obtained. 


PATENT   REGULATIONS.  391 

V.  Whenever  another  like  patent  has  been  previously  granted,  in 
the  country  or  abroad,  though  the  same  has  been  declared  void. 

A  patent  can  only  be  annulled  by  judicial  authority,  and  then  only 
by  reason  of  any  of  the  causes  enumerated. 

The  penal  and  civil  responsibility  of  infringers,  and  the  procedure 
to  be  observed  both  in  criminal  and  civil  actions,  embrace  52  articles 
of  the  new  patent  law,  the  matter  being  exhaustively  treated. 

In  regard  to  patents  by  industrial  samples  or  drawings,  is  patentable 
every  new  form  of  an  industrial  product,  piece  of  machinery,  tool, 
statue,  bust,  high  or  low  relief,  which,  either  by  its  new  artistic 
arrangement  or  by  the  new  arrangement  of  the  material,  constitute  a 
new  and  original  industrial  product.  Any  new  drawings  used  for  the 
purpose  of  industrial  ornamentation,  in  any  substance,  and  arranged 
thereon  by  printing,  painting,  embroidering,  knitting,  sewing,  mold- 
ing, casting,  engraving,  mosaic,  inlaying,  embossing,  discoloration,  or 
any  mechanical,  physical,  or  chemical  means,  in  such  manner  as  to 
give  to  the  industrial  products  used  in  the  drawings  a  peculiar  and 
becoming  appearance,  shall  also  be  patentable. 

Whenever  a  patent  is  applied  for  by  means  of  an  industrial  sample 
or  drawing,  a  sample  or  model  shall  be  sent  to  the  Patent  Office,  in 
addition  to  the  papers  or  documents  specified  in  the  law  and  regula- 
tions. In  case  the  drawing  or  drawings  illustrating  the  drawing  or 
model  sought  to  be  patented  are  difficult  to  cop.y,  tbe  Patent  Office 
may  accept  photo-engravings  or  photographs.  It  shall  also  dispense 
with  the  model  or  sample  when  the  execution  of  the  same  is  difficult, 
and  when  the  drawings  are  sufficient  to  give  an  accurate  and  precise 
idea  of  the  invention. 

Patents  applied  for  by  means  of  industrial  drawings  and  models 
shall  be  granted  for  a  term  of  five  or  ten  years  at  the  option  of  the 
applicant.     These  terms  can  not  be  extended. 

The  fees  charged  for  patents  applied  for  by  means  of  industrial 
drawings  or  models  are  the  following: 

I.  For  five  years,  5  pesos. 

II.  For  ten  years,  10  pesos. 

The  above  fees  shall  be  paid  in  Federal  revenue  stamps  in  the  man- 
ner prescribed  by  the  regulations. 

Patents  applied  for  by  means  of  industrial  drawings  or  models  lapse 
when  the  term  for  which  they  were  granted  expires.  All  the  pro- 
visions relating  to  patents  of  invention  are  applicable  to  those  of 
industrial  models  and  drawings,  except  as  provided  by  law. 

This  law  went  into  force  on  the  1st  of  October,  1903. 

Regulations. — The  regulations,  consisting  of  38  articles,  were  pro- 
mulgated by  Executive  decree  of  September  21,  1903,  and  in  general 
terms  provide  that  whoever  desires  to  obtain  a  patent  shall  file  person  ■ 
ally,  or  by  means  of  an  attorney,  in  the  Patent  Office,  an  application 


892  Mexico. 

accompanied  by  the  following  documents:    I.  A  description;  II.    A 
claim;  III.   A  drawing  or  drawings,  if  the  same  require  it;  and   IV. 

Two  copies  df  these  documents. 

A  receipt  shall  be  given  to  the  applicant  of  the  documents  presented 
stating  the  date  and  hour  in  which  they  were  riled,  their  serial  num- 
ber, and  the  term  within  which  the  interested  party  shall  appear  or 
present  bimself  in  the  Patent  Office  to  be  notified  of  the  result  of  the 
examination  and  when  to  pay  the  required  fiscal  fees.  Should  the 
interested  party  fail  to  comply  with  the  terms  and  requirements  sel 
forth  in  this  receipt,  the  ease  shall  he  considered  as  abandoned. 

The  application  shall  he  made  according  to  the  models  annexed  to 
the  regulations.  When  a  patent  is  jointly  applied  for  by  several  per- 
sons, there  must  l>e  stated  in  the  respective  application,  in  the  first 
place,  the  name  of  the  person  who  represents  the  others,  and  it  must 
so  be  set  forth  in  the  specifications. 

The  specification  must  begin  with  the  name  of  the  inventor  or 
inventors,  profession,  if  he  or  they  have  any.  nationality,  domicile, 
ami  address  in  the  City  of  Mexico  for  receiving  notifications;  the  name, 
nature,  and  object  of  the  invention,  with  an  enumeration  of  the 
drawings. 

After  this  the  invention  must  be  described  in  a  complete,  clear, 
and  exact  manner  and  as  concisely  as  possible,  avoiding  all  kinds  of 
digressions  and  adhering  strictly  to  the  object  thereof.  Under  no 
pretext  shall  an  attempt  be  made  to  give  a  demonstration  of  a  mathe- 
matical, philosophical,  or  of  any  other  nature  whatever,  concerning 
what  is  described  or  affirmed.  At  the  end  of  the  specification  the 
claim  must  be  added  signed  by  the  inventor  or  his  representative. 

The  models  provided  for  by  the  regulations  must  be  strictly  followed. 

The  claim  must  define  and  express  clearly  and  with  all  exactness  the 
process,  combination,  or  product  which  constitutes  the  invention  or 
the  organ  or  piece  that  forms  the  essential  part  of  the  invention,  indi- 
cating at  the  same  time  the  relation  which  it  may  have  to  another  or 
other  organs  or  elements  which  are  not  the  direct  object  of  the  patent. 

The  drawings  must  be  made  on  white  paper  of  the  thickness  of 
three-sheet  Bristol  board  having  a  smooth  and  compressed  surface 
approximately  380  millimeters  in  height  by  254  millimeters  in  width. 
A  heavy  line  25  millimeters  from  the  od^r  of  the  paper  shall  forma 
frame  or  body  within  which  the  drawing  must  be  made.  In  the  upper 
part  <d'  this  frame  or  body  and  within  it  shall  be  left  a  blank  space  of 
25  millimeters  approximately,  in  order  that  the  Patent  Office  may 
place  therein  the  name  of  the  invention,  the  serial  number  of  the 
same,  etc.  The  interested  party  shall  write  with  a  soft  pencil  on  the 
back  of  the  sheet  the  title  which  he  has  given  to  his  invention. 

In  the  lower  part  of  the  bod}r  or  frame,  and  to  the  right  side,  he 
shall  sign. 


PATENT   KEGULATIONS.  393 

The  requisites  governing  the  drawings  are  set  down  as  follows  in 
the  regulations: 

u(a)  Preferabl}r  care  should  be  taken  so  that  one  of  the  narrow  sides 
of  the  paper  remains  as  the  upper  part  thereof,  but  if  it  be  considered 
better  to  take  one  wide  side  of  the  paper  as  the  upper  side  thereof  it 
majr  be  done. 

"(J)  If  a  sheet  is  not  sufficient  several  may  be  used,  but  in  at  least 
one  of  these  the  complete  invention  must  appear. 

"(c)  Only  China  ink  and  graphite  shall  be  used,  taking  care  that  the 
ink  be  absolutely  black.  Shading  should  be  avoided  as  much  as  possi- 
ble, and  whenever  the  same  is  absolutely  necessary  it  should  be  done 
with  the  least  possible  number  of  lines. 

"(d)  It  shall  be  assumed  that  the  light  comes  from  the  left  side 
upper  angle  of  the  paper  at  45°,  so  that  the  lines  formed  on  the  side 
of  the  shade  shall  be  represented  heavier  than  those  on  the  side  of  the 
light. 

"(()  It  is  preferable  at  all  events  and  is  specially  recommended  to 
present  the  invention  in  one  single  drawing  of  the  largest  possible  size, 
in  a  conventional  and  free  perspective  view,  without  the  necessity  of 
being  subjected  to  an}'  scale,  not  even  among  the  parts  of  one  and  the 
same  figure,  considering  always  that  what  is  desired  above  all  things  is 
clearness. 

li{f)  If  it  is  considered  necessary  to  show  one  or  several  sections, 
they  must  be  indicated  in  the  general  drawing  by  means  of  dotted  or 
dash  lines,  or  dash  and  dotted  lines,  always  taking  care  to  mark  in  the 
section  the  reference  sign  or  letter  of  the  line  to  which  it  corresponds. 

"(</)  The  pieces  shown  in  section  must  be  marked  by  means  of 
oblique  lines  at  least  1.5  millimeters  from  each  other. 

"(A)  The  signs  must  be  letters  or  numerals  the  size  of  which  in  no 
case  shall  be  less  than  3  millimeters.  If  there  are  places  where  they 
can  not  be  put  or  where  it  is  feared  that  they  ma}r  cause  confusion, 
they  should  be  placed  as  near  as  possible  and  united  to  the  point  which 
they  indicate  by  the  broken  or  curved  line. 

"(«')  If  in  spite  of  this  it  is  necessary  to  place  a  sign  or  letter  in  a 
space  marked  by  means  of  oblique  lines,  a  small  circle  must  be  left  in 
blank  in  order  to  place  in  it  the  sign. 

"(;')  Whenever  there  are  pieces  or  details,  which  in  general  figure 
are  shown  too  small,  the}7  must  be  marked  by  means  of  only  one  let- 
ter or  sign  and  present  them  sufficiently  amplified  in  special  figures 
marked  by  the  same  sign.11 

The  duplicate  must  be  made  on  tracing  cloth  and  with  China  ink. 

Whenever  in  the  patents  solicited  by  means  of  drawings  or  models, 
photographs  instead  of  drawings  are  .admitted,  the  latter  and  their 
duplicates  shall  be  made  precisely  on  blue  paper  or  other  unalterable 


394  Mexico. 

heliograph.  Hie  paper  must  be  of  the  dimensions  already  stated  and 
a  negative  shall  be  delivered,  made  on  :i  film,  preferably  thick. 

Drawings  shall  not  be  folded,  but  shall  be  presented  stretched 
between  two  thick  pieces  of  pasteboard.  The  indications  of  the  draw- 
ings annexed  to  these  regulations  shall  be  followed  in  toto. 

Two  or  more  independent  inventions  can  not  be  patented  in  one 
sin  jilt'  patent. 

In  general  terms.  "Every  organ  or  conjunction  of  organs  which  are 
susceptible  of  exploitation  separately  and  the  utilization  of  which  is 
not  absolutely  obligatory  with  the  machine  in  which  they  arc  used 
constitutes  the  object  of  an  individual  patent." 

A  machine  and  its  products  must  be  the  subject-matter  of  independ- 
ent patents,  as  well  as  a  machine  and  the  process  in  which  it  is  used, 
but  a  process  and  its  products  may  be  patented  only  in  a  single  patent. 

An  industrial  drawing  and  the  process  to  obtain  the  same,  as  well  as 
an  industrial  model  and  the  process  to  obtain  the  same,  are  subject- 
matter  of  two  independent  patents. 

In  all  doubtful  eases  two  or  more  patents  should  be  solicited. 

If  the  result  of  the  examination  provided  in  the  law  and  regulations 
should  be  satisfactory,  the  interested  part}r  must  present  to  the  Patent 
Office,  within  the  term  fixed  in  the  receipt  of  documents,  a  5-peso 
stamp  bearing  the  seal  of  "Patents"  (Patentes)  in  payment  of  the 
Government  or  fiscal  fee  for  the  first  term  or  installment  of  one  year. 

Any  working  day  during  the  first  term  of  one  year  the  interested 
party  may  ask  for  the  final  patent.  In  order  to  do  this  he  must  present 
in  the  Patent  Office  three  10-peso  stamps  with  the  stamp  "Patents," 
and  one  5-peso  stamp  equally  stamped. 

Patents  shall  be  inscribed  in  a  special  register  or  record. 

Under  no  pretext  whatever  shall  it  be  possible  to  demand  the  return 
of  documents  of  any  kind  or  the  fees  paid  in  cases  of  forfeiture,  annul- 
ment, abandonment,  or  when  for  any  other  motive  or  reason  the  patent 
should  not  be  declared  in  force.  Neither  shall  anyone  have  the  right 
to  demand  the  return  of  the  copy  or  model  that  he  may  have  delivered 
to  the  Patent  Office. 

In  case  the  title  of  ownership  of  a  patent  is  lost  or  destroyed  its 
renewal  may  be  requested.  In  order  to  do  this  the  interested  party 
shall  cause  a  copy  of  the  description,  claim,  and  drawings  to  be  made 
at  his  expense,  and  shall  pay  as  tees  15  pesos  in  stamps  with  the  stamp 
"Patents"  (Patentes).  and  he  shall  affix  said  stamps  to  the  document 
that  may  be  indicated  to  him,  duly  canceling  them.  The  new  title 
deed  shall  state  the  fact  that  it  is  a  duplicate. 

The  application,  the  description,  claim,  and  their  duplicates  as  well 
as  all  the  documents,  notes,  etc.,  presented  to  the  Patent  Office  shall 
be  written  only  on  one  side  and  on  paper  330  by  215  millimeters,  writ- 


TRADE-MARK    LAW.  395 

ten  on  a  typewriter,  in  blue  or  dark  violet  iixed  ink,  or  well  printed. 
To  the  left  :i  margin  should  be  left  equivalent  to  one-fourth  the  width 
of  the  paper.  • 

TRADE-MARKS/' 

The  trade-mark  law  in  force  was  officially  promulgated  by  Execu- 
tive decree  on  August  25,  1903,  and  contains  93  articles.  The  follow- 
ing are  the  principal  provisions  of  the  law: 

A  trade-mark  is  the  characteristic  and  peculiar  sign  or  name  used 
by  the  manufacturer,  agriculturist,  or  merchant  in  the  articles  which 
he  produces  or  sells  for  the  purpose  of  distinguishing  them  and  to 
indicate  their  origin.  A  trade-mark  may  be  especially  constituted  by 
the  names  under  a  peculiar  form,  the  denominations,  labels,  wrappers, 
packages  or  holders,  stamps,  seals,  vignettes,  borders,  raised  embroid- 
ery, filigree,  engravings,  coat  of  arms,  emblems,  reliefs,  figures, 
mottoes,  etc.,  it  being  understood,  however,  that  this  enumeration  is 
simply  made  for  the  purpose  of  illustration,  the  application  of  trade- 
marks not  being  limited  to  said  articles. 

To  obtain  the  exclusive  rights  to  the  use  of  a  trade-mark  it  is  nec- 
essary to  register  the  same  in  the  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office' and 
otherwise  comply  with  the  formalities  established  by  the  law  and 
regulations. 

To  register  a  trade-mark  the  applicant  must  file  with  the  Patent  and 
Trade-mark  Office  an  application,  accompanied  by  the  following: 

I.  A  description  of  the  trade-mark,  containing  the  proper  reserva- 
tions of  the  same.  Said  description  shall  also  contain  the  following 
data:  The  name  of  the  owner,  the  name  of  the  manufactoiy  or  busi- 
ness, should  he  have  any,  the  place  where  the  latter  is  situated,  and 
the  description  of  the  articles  or  products  to  which  the  trade-mark 
shall  be  applied.  Should  the  interested  party  deem  it  necessary,  a 
description  and  drawings  of  said  articles  or  products  may  also  be 
attached. 

II.  Two  copies  of  the  description; 

III.  A  facsimile  or  cut  of  the  trade-mark;  and 

IV.  Twelve  samples  of  the  trade-mark,  exactty  as  the  same  shall  be 
used. 

Any  Mexican  or  foreigner  can  register  a  trade-mark  by  applying  to 
the  Patent  and  Trade-mark  Office,  either  in  person  or  through  an 
attorney.  Corporations,  companies,  and  all  other  legal  entities  gen- 
erally have  the  same  right.  The  representation  and  qualification  of 
an  attorney  may  be  verified  by  a  simple  letter,  serving  as  a  power  of 
attorney,  signed  before  two  witnesses,  and  the  office  may  demand  the 


"The  full  English  text  of  the  law  and  regulations  was  published  in  the  Monthly 
Bulletin  of  this  Bureau  for  December,  1903. 


396  mi-  xi<  -•. 

ratification  of  the  signatures  of  said  letter  whenever  it  may  deem  it 
convenient  to  do  so. 
The  following  can  not  be  registered  as  trade-marks: 

I.  The  names  or  titles,  whether  the  trade-mark  protects  articles 
which  are  comprised  in  the  description  or  kind  t<>  which  the  name  or 
title  refers,  inasmuch  as  the  essential  requisite,  in  order  that  a  title  or 
name  may  serve  as  a  trade-mark,  is  that  it  be  capable  <»t'  indicating 
(-1-  distinguishing  the  articles  thus  protected  from  other  article-  of 
precisely  the  same  description  or  kind. 

II.  Anything  that  is  contrary  to  morals,  good  customs,  or  to  the 
laws  of  the  country,  and  everything  that  may  tend  to  ridicule  ideas, 
persons,  of  articles  worthy  of  consideration. 

III.  The  national  coat  of  arms,  escutcheon,  and  emblems. 

IV.  Weapons,  escutcheons,  and  emblems  of  the  States  of  the  Fed 
eration.    national  or   foreign  cities,  foreign  nations  and    states,  etc., 
without  their  respective  consent. 

V.  The  names,  signatures,  seals,  ami  pictures  of  private  persons, 
without  their  consent. 

The  registration  of  a  trade-mark  shall  he  renewed  every  twenty 
years.  Delay  in  making  said  renewal  shall  not  result  in  the  loss  of  the 
rights  to  the  exclusive  use  of  the  trade-mark,  but  the  party  thereby 
incurs  an  increase  in  the  Government  fees  in  accordance  with  the  pro- 
visions of  the  regulations,  and  until  the  renewal  takes  place  the  inter- 
ested party  has  no  right  to  bring  a  criminal  action  against  or  prosecute 
those  who  should  improperly  use  or  counterfeit  the  trade-mark. 

The  registrstion of  a  trade-mark  shall  commence  to  he  in  force  from 
the  date  on  which  the  respective  application  and  documents  shall  have 
been  duly  tiled  with  the  Patent  and  Trade-mark  Office. 

A  trade-mark,  the  registration  of  which  is  applied  for  in  Mexico 
within  four  months  after  having  been  applied  for  in  one  or  several 
foreign  countries,  shall  be  regarded  as  having  been  registered  on  the 
same  date  in  which  it  was  registered  in  the  first  foreign  country  where 
it  may  have  been  previously  registered,  provided  that  country  grants 
the  same  right  to  Mexican  citizens.  Hence  every  trade-mark  regis- 
tered in  Mexico  under  these  conditions  shall  have  exactly  the  same 
powerand  shall  produce  the  samceflfeel  as  if  it  had  been  registered  en 
the  same  day  and  hour  in  which  it  was  registered  in  the  first  foreign 
country. 

Registered  trade-marks  shall  bear  visible  inscriptions,  as  follows: 

Those  used  by  manufacturers,  merchants,  agriculturists,  etc. 
"Registered  Trade-mark."  or  the  same  words  written  in  abbreviation, 
together  with  the  number  and  date  of  the  registration.  Those  used 
by  merchants  shall  read  "Registered  Commercial  Trade-mark,"  or 
the  same  words  written  in  abbreviation,  together  with  the  number  and 
date  of  the  registration. 


TRADE-MARK    LAW.  397 

Whenever  the  trade-mark  consists  of  names,  titles,  inscriptions, 
monograms,  or  abbreviations,  etc. ,  or  when  consisting-  of  signs  which 
arc  not  letters,  should  bear  the  names,  titles,  etc.,  or  monograms  or 
abbreviations,  the  trade-mark  shall  necessarily  bear  in  a  conspicuous 
or  visible  manner  the  name  of  the  owner  of  the  industry  or  trade,  the 
name  of  the  business,  manufactory,  etc.,  should  he  have  any,  and  the 
place  where  the  latter  is  situated. 

The  registration  of  a  trade-mark  shall  be  made  without  an  examina- 
tion as  to  its  novelty  under  the  exclusive  responsibility  of  the  applicant. 
and  without  prejudice  to  third  parties,  and  such  registration  shall  be 
void  whenever  the  same  has  been  made  in  contravention  of  the  pro- 
visions of  the  law  and  the  regulations,  or  when  it  had  been  previously 
registered  by  somebod}r  else,  if  more  than  two  years  have  elapsed  since 
registration,  or  the  two  years  not  having  yet  elapsed,  another  had 
made  the  registration  with  a  better  right. 

The  certificate  of  registration  of  a  trade-mark  shall  be  issued  b}"  the 
Patent  and  Trade-mark  Office.  This  certificate  duly  legalized,  together 
with  the  documents  attached  thereto,  constitutes  the  title  which  proves 
the  right  to  the  exclusive  use  of  the  trade-mark. 

Registered  trade-marks  can  be  transferred  and  sold  or  disposed  of 
like  any  other  right,  as  provided  by  law.  The  transfer  shall  be  regis- 
tered in  the  Patent  and  Trade-mark  Office,  and  without  this  requisite 
it  shall  have  no  effect  against  a  third  party.  The  transfer  of  a  trade- 
mark implies  or  carries  with  it  the  right  of  industrial  or  commercial 
exploitation  of  the  industrial  product  or  commercial  articles  protected 
by  said  trade-mark. 

Civil  and  criminal  actions  growing  out  of  the  infringement  of  the 
trade-mark  law  and  the  penalties  attached  thereto  are  fully  set  down 
in  the  act  in  question. 

The  fees  for  registration  and  publication  of  trade-marks  are  as  fol- 
lows: A  fee  of  5  pesos  for  the  registration  or  extension  of  time  of  a 
trade-mark;  a  fee  of  one  peso  for  the  publication  of  a  commercial 
name. 

The  following  fees  shall  be  charged  for  the  registration  of  a  com- 
mercial advertisement:  Two  pesos  for  a  five  years'  registration;  1 
pesos  for  a  ten  years'  registration;  4  pesos  for  each  extension  of  time 
cf  five  years. 

These  fees  shall  be  paid  in  internal-revenue  stamps,  in  the  form  and 
manner  prescribed  by  the  regulations  of  this  law.  Said  regulations 
fix  the  fees  which  the  Patent  and  Trade-mark  Office  shall  charge  for 
other  services,  such  as  registration  of  transfers,  change  of  place, 
renewals  of  the  certificates  of  registration,  etc.,  which  fees  are  also 
paid  in  internal-revenue  stamps. 

This  law  went  into  effect  on  the  1st  of  October,  1903. 


398  m  ix  ico. 

Regulations. — The  regulations  promulgated  on  September  24. 1903, 
provide  in  general  terms  that  the  registration  of  trade-marks  :m<l 

notices  shall  be  made  by  the  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office  at  the 
request  of  the  interested  party.  For  each  registration  of  trade-marks 
and  notices  sought  to  l>e  made,  a  separate  application  shall  he  made. 
according  to  the  model,  provided  by  law. 

The  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office  shall  issue  a  receipt  for  the  doc- 
uments and  cliche*  to  the  interested  party,  stating  the  day  and  hour  in 
which  they  were  delivered  and  the  respective  serial  number.  The 
Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office  shall  make  an  official  examination  of  the 
documents  in  accordance  with  the  law.  If  the  result  of  the  official 
examination  is  satisfactory  the  interested  party  shall  present  to  the 
Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office,  within  the  term  stated  in  the  receipt 
for  the  documents,  the  stamp  with  the  restamp  "  Marcas"  (Marks)  cor- 
responding to  the  payment  of  the  fees,  said  stamp  to  he  canceled  on 
the  document.  If  the  applicant  fails  to  do  so  within  the  term  fixed  in 
tlir  receipt  issued  for  the  documents,  it  shall  be  understood  that  the 
case  has  been  abandoned. 

If  the  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office  finds  that  the  documents  pre- 
sented arc  not  prepared  in  due  form,  it  shall  make  known  the  fact  in 
writing  to  the  interested  party,  so  that  he  may  renew  them  or  proceed 
in  the  manner  indicated  in  article  30.  Chapter  III.  of  the  law. 

The  descriptions  of  the  trade-mark,  the  registration  of  which  is 
solicited,  must  be  authorized  by  the  signature  of  the  interested  party 
or  that  of  his  attorney,  and  in  case  said  description  consists  of  several 
pages  or  folios,  each  folio  or  page  must  be  signed  on  the  margin. 

All  applications  and  other  documents  presented  for  the  registration 
of  a  trade-mark  or  notice  -hall  be  typewritten  on  one  side  of  the  paper 
only,  in  indelible  black,  blue,  or  dark  violet  ink.  The  paper  used  must 
be  33<>  millimeters  in  length.  215  millimeters  wide,  and  have  a  margin 
of  .M  millimeters  on  the  left  side.  The  length  or  width  of  the  cliche 
for  a  trade-mark  or  notice  shall  be  no  less  than  15  millimeters  and  no 
more  than  100  millimeters,  and  the  height  thereof  must  be  24  milli- 
meters. When  a  trade-mark  i-  formed  by  several  separated  parts  one 
cliche  shall  be  sent  for  each  of  said  part-.  The  colors  shall  lie  indi- 
cated in  the  cliche  a-  far  ;i-  may  bo  possible.  The  copies  of  the 
original  trade-mark  law  shall  be  free  from  erasure-,  corrections,  or 
modifications. 

"The  article  in  reference  reads  as  follows: 

••  Akt.  39.  Whenever  the  interested  parties  should  not  be  satisfied  with  the  admin- 
istrative decisions  or  decrees  of  the  Department  of  Promotion  or  with  those  of  the 
Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office  they  may  appeal  within  fifteen  days  after  being 
advised  of  the  decision  to  any  of  the  District  Judges  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  setting 
forth  the  reason  of  their  nonconformity." 


TRADE-MARK  REGULATIONS.  399 

When  metal  objects  or  other  substances  constitute  a  trade-mark  or 
a  part  thereof,  there  shall  be  sent,  in  addition,  twelve  copies  of  its  illus- 
tration, printed  on  paper,  as  well  as  when  the  trade-mark  is  to  be  fixed 
by  means  of  lead  seals,  by  fire,  or  by  any  other  process. 

The  certificate  of  registration  of  a  trade-mark,  besides  the  provisions 
of  the  law,  must  contain  the  following: 

I.  Ordinal  number  of  the  trade-mark. 

II.  Date  and  hour  in  which  the  application  and  annexed  documents 
were  presented. 

III.  The  name  of  the  owner  of  the  trade-mark. 

IV.  The  seal  of  the  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office. 

V.  A  facsimile  of  the  registered  trade-mark. 

VI.  A  description  of  said  trade-mark. 

In  case  the  certificate  of  registration  should  be  lost  or  destroyed  it 
may  be  renewed  at  the  expense  of  the  owner  of  the  trade-mark.  In 
order  to  do  this  he  shall  present  a  petition  and  three  pesos'  worth  of 
stamps  with  the  restainp  "Marcas"  (Marks),  which  he  shall  affix  to  the 
document  indicated  to  him  and  shall  cancel  them  thereon.  In  the  new 
certificate  shall  be  stated  that  it  is  a  duplicate. 

To  solicit  the  registration  of  the  transfer  of  a  trade-mark,  a  petition 
shall  be  made  to  the  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office,  stating: 

I.  The  number  of  the  registered  trade-mark. 

II.  The  name  of  the  former  owner. 

III.  The  name  of  the  trade-mark,  should  it  have  one. 

IV.  The  products  protected  b}T  it. 

V.  The  name  of  the  new  owner. 

This  application  shall  be  accompanied  by  stamps  to  the  value  of  3 
pesos  with  the  restamp  "Marcas"  (Marks),  to  be  canceled  on  the  docu- 
ment. With  .said  petition  shall  be  sent  a  facsimile  of  said  trade-mark. 
In  order  to  justify  the  acquisition  of  a  trade-mark  or  notice,  the  origi- 
nal and  a  copy  of  the  respective  deed  shall  be  sent.  The  original  to 
be  returned  to  the  interested  party,  and  the  copy  shall  be  kept  as  a 
part  of  the  proceedings. 

To  obtain  the  registration  of  a  commercial  notice,  there  shall  be 
presented  at  the  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office  a  petition,  accompanied 
by  the  following: 

I.  A  cliche  of  the  notice. 

II.  Twelve  copies  of  the  notice  or  advertisement  just  as  it  is  going 
to  be  used. 

III.  Twelve  copies  of  the  same  notice  printed  on  paper,  when  said 
notice  is  going  to  circulate,  made  in  crystal  (glass),  sheet  (plate), 
leather,  pasteboard,  etc. 

The  petition  shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  model,  and  3  pesos' 
worth  of  stamps,  with  the  restamp  "Marcas"  (Marks),  shall  beaccom- 


40(1 


MEXICO. 


panied,  if  the  registration  is  for  five  years,  and  I  pesos  in  stamps,  it' 
the  registration  is  for  ten  years.  These  -tamp-  the  interested  party 
or  his  representative  shall  cancel  on  the  document  thai  may  be  indi- 
cated to  him.  The  dimensions  of  the  cliche*  of  a  commercial  notice 
shall  be  the  same  as  those  fixed  for  the  trade-mark. 

Anv  document  that  does  not  fulfil]  the  requirements  <>t'  the  law  and 
the  regulations  shall  be  renewed  at  the  expense  of  the  Interested  party. 
Under  no  pretext  whatever  shall  documents,  drawings,  stamps,  cliche^ 
or  samples,  which,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  registration  of  a 
trade-mark  or  notice,  may  have  been  delivered  to  the  Patent  and  Trade- 
Mark  Office,  be  returned.  The  public  may  examine  the  registered 
trade-marks  and  notices  (advertisements)  at  the  hours  fixed  for  that 
purpose  by  the  Patent  and  Trade-Mark  Office. 

The  number  of  patents  issued  and  trade-marks  registered  by  the 
Department  of  Promotion,  from  L890  to  the  end  of  1902,  is  officially 
given  as  follows: 


Year. 

Patents 
Issued. 

Trade- 
marks 
regis- 
tered. 

!-'»!»                                                                                               

63 
168 
168 
122 
125 
164 
ISO 
203 
282 
279 
278 
399 
488 

97 

1891 

112 

L892 

161 

1893 

ins 

1894 

79 

1895                     

91 

L896                      

101 

1897            

'JOT 

1893 

1899 

267 

1900 

286 

1«K>1                  

272 

1902 

867 

Total 

2,814 

2,  32:5 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

PRACTICE    OF   MEDICINE,    DENTISTRY,    ETC. -COST    OF  DIVING- 
WAGES  TO  DABOR— BUIDDING,  ETC. 

Practice  of  medicine,  dentistry,  etc. — No  person,  whether  a  native  or  a 
foreigner,  is  allowed  to  practice  in  Mexico  medicine,  pharmacy,  obstet- 
rics, or  dentistry  without  positive  proof  that  he  or  she  is  a  graduate 
of  a  duly  authorized  college  or  university.  Studies  in  Mexico  must 
be  made  at  one  of  the  schools,  hospitals,  or  other  institutions  author- 
ized by  law,  and  when  made  in  a  foreign  country  the}T  must  be  validated 
before  the  proper  Mexican  authorities,  upon  application  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  Justice  and  Public  Instruction,  and  the  proof,  by  the  proper 
certificate,  that  they  have  been  made  in  accordance  with  the  provisions 
of  the  Mexican  law.  Validation  thus  granted  exempts  the  candidate 
from  the  necessity  of  being  examined. 

The  medical  professions,  as  classified  by  the  decree  of  January  11, 
1902,  providing  for  a  "Plan  of  Studies  for  the  National   School  of 
Medicine,"  are  four,  as  follows: 
I.  Medicine  and  surgery; 
II.   Pharmacy; 

III.  Obstetrics; 

IV.  Dental  surgery. 

Medicine. — The  course  in  medicine,  covering  a  period  of  six  years, 
embraces:  Descriptive  anatomy,  with  practical  dissection  exercises; 
general  and  histological  anatomy,  theoretical  and  practical,  with  the 
proper  practical  exercises;  topographic  anatomy,  with  practical  exer- 
cises, and  pathological  anatomy;  physiology,  with  experimental  dem- 
onstrations; biological  chemistry;  galenic  pharmacy;  bacteriology; 
pathology,  medical,  surgical,  and  general;  therapeutics,  medical  and 
surgical;  theoretical  obstetrics;  clinics,  internal,  external,  propedeuti- 
cal,  and  surgical;  medical  pediatrical  clinic;  surgical  gynecological 
clinics;  clinic  of  ophthalmology;  clinic  of  psychiatrics;  legal  medicine 
and  deontology. 

Pharmacy. — The  course  in  pharmacy,  covering  a  period  of  three 
years,  embraces:  Pharmacy;  posology;  pharmaceutical  econonry;  legal 
pharmacy;  deontology;  chemical  and  pharmaceutical  manipulations; 
practical  management  of  the  physical  and  chemical  instruments  and 
apparatuses  used  in  pharmacy;  natural  history  of  the  simple  drugs 
509a— 04 26  401 


402  HEXIOO. 

used  in  Mexico;  chemical  analysis,  general  and  applied  to  medicines; 
toxicology;  and  the  examination  of  food  and  beverages,  and  of  the 
principal  physiological  and  pathological  products.  Practice  in  the 
Charity  Central  Dispensary  or  in  the  drug  store  of  the  Government 
hospital  shall  also  be  required  as  a  condition  for  graduation. 

Obstetrics.  The  course  in  obstetrics,  covering  a  period  of  two  years, 
embraces:  Anatomy  and  physiology  of  the  feminine  sexual  appara- 
tus, including  the  study  of  the  pelvis;  elements  of  embryology  and 
fetal  anatomy;  pregnancy,  labor,  and  puerperal  conditions,  physiolog- 
ically considered;  care  required  by  the  mother  of  the  newly  born 
child;  obstetrical  antisepsis;  obstetrical  hygienics;  obstetrical  thera- 
peutics: obstetrical  operations,  with  exercises  on  the  manikin;  and 
clinic,  obstetrical  and  propedeutical. 

I><  niist/ry. — The  course  in  dental  surgery,  covering  a  period  of  three 
years,  embraces:  Descriptive  anatomy,  with  dissection  exercises;  topo- 
graphical anatomy  of  the  head,  and  especially  of  the  mouth;  histology, 
with  special  reference  to  the  elements  constituting  the  mouth;  physi- 
ology; dental  pathology;  morbous  processes  in  general;  dental  thera- 
peutics; dental  materia  medica;  dental  surgery:  dental  operations; 
dental  prosthesis;  dental  metallurgy;  bacterioscopy. 

Article  22  of  the  decree  provides  that  the  studies  above  described, 
whether  purely  preparatory  or  professional,  made  in  a  foreign  coun- 
try, may  be  validated  by  the  secretary  of  justice  and  public  inst  na- 
tion, upon  such  conditions  as  he  may  require. 

Article  28,  translated  into  English,  reads  as  follows: 

"Abt.  28.  Persons  holding  diplomas  from  official  schools  of  the 
Republic,  different  from  those  designated  by  this  decree,  or  from  for- 
eign universities,  who  may  desire  to  obtain  the  same  from  the  schools 
and  institutions  named  in  article  1  of  this  decree,  for  the  practice  of 
any  of  the  medical  professions  established  by  this  plan,  shall  subject 
themselves  to  examination,  in  the  National  Preparatory  School  or  in 
the  National  School  of  Medicine,  in  every  one  of  the  matters  or  branches 
above  described  for  each  profession;  and  if  approved  they  shall  have 
to  pass  also  the  respective  professional  examination.  But  if  the  can- 
didate should  prove  by  a  competent  certificate  to  have  studied  some 
matters  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  the  Mexican  plan,  the 
said  studies  shall  be  validated  and  he  shall  be  exempted  from  exami- 
nation in  the  -nine.  It  shall  not  be  necessary  to  take  up  the  different 
subjects  of  examination  in  regular  order." 

Cost  of  liming. — It  maybe  said  in  a  general  way  that  the  cost  of  liv- 
ing in  Mexico  is  not  great,  although,  of  course,  it  varies  in  different 
localities.  In  the  interior  towns  and  villages  the  common  necessaries 
of  life,  such  as  beef,  vegetables,  etc..  are  cheap.  Coffee  ami  tea.  the 
latter  being  very  seldom  used  or  seen  in  the  interior,  are  expensive. 
Imported  goods  are  also  expensive,  as  to  their  cost  in  gold  must  be 


COST   OF   LIVING.  403 

added  the  import  duties  and  the  merchants'  profits.  The  native  food 
is  rich  and  highly  seasoned.  Meals  may  be  had  at  the  hotels  in  the 
interior  for  about  50  cents  each;  board  and  lodging  at  these  hotels 
range  from  $2  to  $2.50  per  day. 

In  the  City  of  Mexico,  living  is  more  expensive.  Hotels  charge  from 
$2.50  to  $10  silver  per  day.  Good  meals  may  be  procured  at  any  first- 
class  restaurant  for  $1. 

Ready-made  clothing,  such  as  is  to  be  found  in  the  Unitetl  States,  is 
not  much  in  vogue,  but  imported  English  and  French  cloth  is  made 
up  into  suits  at  about  the  same  cost  as  in  the  United  States.  The  large 
dry-goods  establishments,  millinery  stores,  etc.,  are  as  well  stocked  as 
those  of  the  larger  cities  of  the  United  States,  and  for  imported  goods 
the  prices  vary  very  little  from  those  prevailing  in  the  latter  country. 

Rents  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  however,  are  very  high.  This  is  due 
to  the  cost  of  house  building,  the  municipal  tax  of  12  per  cent  on  the 
annual  rental,  pavement,  drainage,  water,  and  stamp  taxes.  The 
expense  in  taxes  on  a  house  costing  $10,000  to  build,  and  renting  for 
$75  per  month,  is  $13.08  per  month,  or  about  17£  per  cent  of  the 
receipts. 

There  is  not  much  money  to  be  saved  by  hiring  private  lodgings 
unless  it  is  proposed  to  take  them  for  a  protracted  period.  Furnished 
rooms  in  desirable  localities  cost  nearly  as  much  as  hotel  apartments. 
Although  unfurnished  rooms  may  be  secured,  the  cost  for  furnishing 
them  is  very  considerable;  still  they  rent  for  about  one-half  the  amount 
charged  for  furnished  rooms.  Casas  de  huespedes,  corresponding  to 
the  American  boarding  house,  abound,  but  as  a  rule  the  meals  served 
are  not  of  the  best.  Their  charges  are  relatively  moderate.  The 
hotels  generally,  in  the  smaller  cities  and  towns,  are  not  provided 
with  baths,  but  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  as  everywhere  else,  there  are 
excellent  public  baths.  The  prices  at  these  establishments  are,  usually, 
for  cold  baths,  1  real  (12i  cents);  for  warm  baths,  2  reales  (25  cents). a 
Street  tramways  in  the  Cit}*-  of  Mexico  general^  charge  6i  cents. 
Hackney  coaches  are  divided  into  four  classes,  distinguished  by  tin 
flags  painted  in  different  colors,  indicating  the  charge  per  hour  for 
each,  as  follows:  White  flag,  50  cents  per  hour;  red  flag,  $1  per  hour; 
blue  flag,  $1.50  per  hour.  Good  livery  stables  abound,  and  saddle 
horses  may  be  secured  at  the  rate  of  $3  for  a  morning's  ride,  or  $4  for 
an  entire  afternoon.  A  tourist  intending  to  take  a  short  trip  to  Mex- 
ico would  do  well  to  calculate  his  expenses  at  $10  per  day,  including 
traveling  expenses. 

Labor  is  abundant  in  Mexico;  in  some  places  the  supply  is  greater 
than  the  demand,  and  as  the  laboring  classes  can  live  on  such  frugal 
diet  and  need  so  little  clothing,  wages,  except  for  imported  skilled 
labor,  are  small. 


«  Mexican  currency. 


4<»4  MEXICO. 

The  /""•'  miiihis,  as  the  large  landowners  arc  called,  own  immense 
bracts  of  land,  and  the  kacienda,  or  manor,  is  a  congregation  of  build- 
ings, forming  at  time-  quite  a  settlement.  The  haoenda&o  usually 
works  hi-  possessions  in  accordance  with  the  traditions  handed  down 
from  the  time  of  the  Spanish  conquest,  and  he  is  not  only  a  land- 
owner hut  he  is  a  dealer  in  provisions,  clothing,  etc.  His  ''peones,"" 
as  the  laborers  and  the  tillers  of  his  soil  arc  called,  are  generally 
descended ?from  those  his  father  had  before  him,  and  they  are  paid, 
live,  and  work  as  their  progenitors,  and  receive  generally  from  20  to 
cents  a  day. 

Wages.  —  With  respect  to  the  rates  of  wages  paid  in  the  Republic,  the 
United  States  Minister  to  Mexico,  under  date  of  September  26,  1896,  a 
reported  to  the  Department  of  State  that  the  amount  of  wages  paid 
varies  throughout  the  Republic,  being  higher  in  some  sections  than  in 
others,  and  in  certain  mining  districts  lower  than  they  were  ten  to  tifteen 
years  ago.  This  i-  generally  owing  to  local  causes.  As  a  matter  of 
course,  owing  to  the  construction  and  management  of  7,0<»0  miles  of 
railroads,  the  introduction  of  electricity,  and  the  placing  of  new  and 
improved  machinery  in  many  of  the  mines  and  in  some  of  the  agri- 
cultural districts,  there  has  been  an  increase  in  the  number  of  skilled 
laborers,  and  some  increase  in  the  demand  for  the  same,  but  it  is  true 
that  with  the  great  mass  of  the  Mexican  laborers  there  has  been  but 
little,  if  any.  change  in  the  amount  of  wages  paid. 

A-  might  naturally  be  expected,  there  are  some  instances  where 
laborers  receive  more  than  they  did  ten  years  ago,  but  these  are  the 
exceptions.  There  are  also  many  instance-  where  less  IS  received. 
The  daily  wage  paid  to  the  farm  laborer  hired  by  the  day  does  not 
exceed  30  cents,  taking  into  account  the  whole  laboring  agricultural 
population.  There  are  instances  where  the  day  laborer  receives  50 
cents  per  day:  but  again  there  are  also  instances  where  he  only  receives 
15  to  20  cents.  The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of  Mexico  estimates 
the  daily  wage  of  farm  laborers  at  •_'.'.  cents. 

To  obtain  a  correct  idea  of  the  daily  wages  paid  to  the  agricultural 
laborer  it  i>  well  to  divide  the  Republic  into  three  districts: 

First.  The  tropical  or  hot  country,  where  labor  is  scarcer  than  on 
the  table-lands  and  there  is  not  the  same  necessity  to  work.  Here,  on 
the  coffee  plantation-,  the  laborers  receive  from  37  to  50  cents  per 
day. 

Second.  The  central  plateau,  or  table  lands,  which  constitute  the 
greater  portion  of  Mexico  as  regards  wealth,  population,  etc.  Here 
the  wages  vary  from  l:i.l  to  50  cents  per  day,  the  average  being  from 
18  to  35  cent-. 

"Tinted  States  Consular  Reports,  special  report,  "Money  and  Prices  in  Foreign 
Countries,"  Vol.  XII,  Parti,  p.  16. 


BUILDING.  405 

Third.  The  northern  portion.  Here  labor  is  scarce,  the  influence  of 
American  customs  is  felt  to  some  extent,  and  wages  are  higher  than 
in  the  central  portion. 

A  large  portion  of  the  farming  in  Mexico  is  carried  on  under  the 
"share  system."  The  Government  reports  show  that  in  many  instances 
rations  of  corn  are  furnished  to  the  hired  laborer.  In  some  cases  we 
find  that  he  is  allowed  a  small  amount  per  day  for  his  board,  in  addi- 
tion to  wages;  again,  he  is  furnished  b}r  the  landlord  with  a  small  piece 
of  land  to  cultivate  for  his  own  benefit. 

The  wages  of  unskilled  laborers  in  the  fields,  on  the  farms,  in  shops, 
and  all  other  places  where  such  labor  is  employed,  are  from  25  to  30 
cents  a  day  for  men,  and  for  women  and  boys  from  a  third  to  a  half 
less,  the  only  rations  ever  furnished  being  corn  and  beans. 

In  the  mines  the  wages  of  the  same  class  of  labor  are  from  40  to  60 
and  to  80  cents  a  day  and  no  rations. 

In  the  factories  the  wages  of  this  same  class  are  from  18  to  25  and 
37  to  62  cents  a  day,  without  rations. 

The  wages  of  a  higher  class  of  operatives  in  the  factories  vary  from 
45  to  75  cents  per  day  and  no  rations. 

A  day's  labor  in  Mexico  is  from  nine  to  thirteen  hours. 

Building. — The  prevailing  st}de  of  architecture  throughout  Mexico, 
so  far  as  regards  what  may  be  termed  modern  buildings  as  contradis- 
tinguished from  the  ruined  temples  and  palaces  of  the  Republic,  is  the 
Spanish  renaissance.  The  cathedrals  and  churches  are  all  built  in  this 
style.  Arabesque  work  and  stone  carvings  ornament  the  facades  of 
nearly  all  religious  edifices.  Governmental  buildings  and  those  devoted 
to  public  uses  are  generally  imposing  and  commodious.  The  National 
Palace  in  Mexico  has  a  frontage  of  675  feet  and  is  two  stories  high. 

Private  houses  are  always  substantially  built,  generally  in  a  rec- 
tangular form  around  a  courtyard.  It  is  rare,  except  at  the  capital, 
to  see  a  private  residence  over  two  stories  high.  The  roofs  are  flat, 
with  a  wall  running  entirely  around  them.  The  roof  is  called  the 
asotea,  and  in  the  warmer  region  is  often  utilized  by  the  residents  for 
sleeping  purposes  during  the  dry  season.  Growing  plants  and  shrubs 
are  often  to  be  seen  on  the  azotea  and  in  the  court}rard.  The  windows 
of  the  houses  are  generally  barred  with  railings  of  iron.  The  larger 
residences  are  constructed  of  igneous  rock,  such  as  porous  anrygdaloid, 
porphyry,  or  trachyte.  Dwellings  are  made  usually  of  brick  and 
tejpetate  (a  kind  of  clay  thickly  sprinkled  with  sand  and  pebbles,  which 
is  soft  when  taken  out  of  the  deposit,  but  on  exposure  becomes  exceed- 
ingly hard)  and  are  stuccoed. 

Some  very  fine  examples  of  modern  architecture  ma}^  now  be  seen 
along  the  Paseo  de  la  Reforma  in  the  capital,  where  the  wealthy  class 
have  erected  several  imposing  residences  with  every  comfort  incident 
to  those  of  more  northern  climes. 


406  MEXICO. 

( )n  the  table-lands  houses  in  the  smaller  towns  and  Tillages  are  con 
structed  of  adobe,  a  sun-dried  brick  made  of  dark  clay  mixed  with 
straw. 

The  peons  in  the  warm,  well  wooded  regions  build  of  wood,  palm 
leaves,  and  stalks;  in  the  table-lands,  of  adobe,  the  houses  having  Hat 
roofs  of  stamped  (lay  supported  bv  beams. 

In  the  Indian  villages  the  rudesl  possible  habitations  are  to  be  seen, 

often  being  mere  frameworks  of  limbs  of  trees,  witli  the  bark  on.  and 
thatched  in  on  all  sides  with  grass,  palm  leaves,  or  stalks.  This,  of 
course,  does  not  apply  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  which  is  to-day  a  mod- 
ern citv  of  the  first  class. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


MISCELLANEOUS  STATISTICAL  DATA.— WEIGHTS  AND  MEAS- 
URES.—CHAMBERS  OF  COMMERCE.— TREATIES  AND  CONVEN- 
TIONS. 

Area  of  the  Slates  and  Territories  of  Mexico. 


CENTRAL    STATES. 


Federal  District 
Aguascalientes  . 

Durango 

Guanajuato 

Hidalgo 

Mexico 

Morelos 

Puebla 

Queretaro 

San  Luis  Potosi. 

Tlaxcala 

Zacatecas  


NORTHERN   STATES. 


Chihuahua.. 

Coahuila 

Nuevo  Leon. 
Sonora 


Myriares.  a 

1,498.75 

7,692 

109,  495 

28, 363 

22, 215 

23, 185 

7,  082.  25 
31,616 
11,638 
62, 177 

4,132 
63, 386 


233, 094 

165,  099 

61,343 

198,  496 


GULF    STATES. 

Campeche 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 

Veracruz 

Yucatan  and  Quintana  Roo 


Myriares. 
46, 855 
26,  094 
83, 597 
75, 863 
91,201 


STATES    OF    THE    PACIFIC    COAST. 


Lower  California  (Territory 

Coliina 

Chiapas 


Guerrero 

Jalisco 

Michoaciin 

Oaxaca  

Sinaloa  

Tepic  ( Territor y ) . 


151,109 
5,887 
70, 524 
64,756 
86, 752 
58, 594 
91,664 
71,  380 
28, 371 


Total 1,983,159 


Area  of  the  islands. 


Guadalupe  (Pacific  Ocean)... 

Cedros  ( Pacific  Ocean) 

Santa    Margarita     (Pacific 
Ocean) 

Creciente  (Pacific  Ocean) 

Revillagigedo  (Pacific Ocean) . 
Tres  Marfas  (Pacific  Ocean).. 
Tiburon  (Gulf  of  California) . . 
Angel  de  la  Guarda  (Pacific 

Ocean)  

Montague  (Pacific  Ocean) 

San  Esteban  (Pacific  Ocean) .. 
San  Lorenzo  (Pacific  Ocean)  . 

San  Jose"  (Pacific  Ocean) 

Cerralvo  (Pacific  Ocean) 

Santa  Catalina  (Pacific  Ocean) 
a  One  myriare  is  equal  to  1,000,000 


Myriares. 
208 
343 

171 
32 
186 
232 
963 

636 

47 

41 

49 

190 

113 

66  Grandtotal 1,987,201 

sauare  meters,  or  1,196,000  square  yards,  or  247,105  acres. 

407 


Monserrate  (Pacific  Ocean)  .. 

Carmen  (Pacific  Ocean) 

San  Marcos  . .   

Partida  ( Pacific  Ocean ) 

Cozumel  (.Caribbean  Sea) 

Mujeres  (Canal  of  Yucatan).. 
Espiritu  Santo  (Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia)    

Other  small  islands 

Total 


Myriares. 

18 

134 

24 

1 

406 

4 

96 

82 

4,042 


Total  area  of  the  States  and 

Territories 1,983,159 

Total  area  of  the  islands 4, 042 


408 


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ALTITUDE    OF    MOUNTS,    ETC. 
Altitude  of  some  mount*,  valleys,  <ni<I  notable  raihvay  stations. 


409 


Yeracn:z 

Mexico  and  Puebla 
Mexico 

Do 

Do 

Puebla  and  Tlax- 
cala. 

Mexico 

Veracruz 

Federal  District  ... 

Jalisco 

Puebla 

Do 

Oaxaca 

Mexico 

Puebla 

Hidalgo 

Puebla 

Mexico 

Oaxaca 

Tepic 

Zacatecas 

Michoacau 

Tlaxcala 

Puebla 

Hidalgo 

San  Luis  Potosi 

Michoacau 

Hidalgo 

Guanaj  uato 

Durango 

Veracruz 

Do 

San  Luis  Potosi 

Taruaulipas 

Durango 

Guerrero 

Michoacau 

Jalisco.  

Federal  District  ... 


Mexico  . 


Veracruz 

Do... 

Pu%bla  . . . 


Pico  de  Orizaba  (Citlal-     Volcano 

tepee). 

Popocatepetl do 

Ixtaccihuatl     (highest    do 

point). 

Ixtaccihuatl  (top  rock) do 

Ixtaccihuatl  (foot rock) do 

Malinche do 


Nevado  de  Toluca i do  . . 

Col're  de  Perote(Nauh-    do  . . 

cainpantepetl). 

Ajusco Mount . . . 

Yolean  de  Colima Volcano  . 


Las  Derrumbadas 

Ocelotzin 

Cempoal tepee  (summit) 
Sumate 


Pinal 


Jaeal  6  Navajas  (near 
Real  del  Monte). 

Chichintepee 

Tariniangacho  (near 
Tlalpujahua). 

Cumbre  de  los  Oeotes. . 

Ceboruco  


Bnfa 

Jorullo 

Llanos  de  Apam 


Mount  . 

do. 

do. 

do. 


.do 
.do 


.do 
.do 


do... 

Volcano  . 

Mount.., 
Volcano 

Plain  ... 


San  Juan  de  los  Llanos do  . 


Llanos  del  Cazadero 
Llanos  de  "  El  Salado 

Patzcuaro 

Tula 

El  Bajio do 

Cuencame do 


do. 

do. 

Valley. 

d6. 


Valle  de  Maltrata. 
Valle  de  Orizaba.. 

Valle  del  Maiz 

Tula 

Vegas  de  Nazas  . . . 

Iguala 

Jorullo 

Acaponeta 

La  Cima 


do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Raihvay  station 
on  the  Cuerna- 
vaca  and  Aca- 
pulco  R.  R. 

Raihvay  station 
on  the  Compa- 
fiia  Nacional 
Mexicana. 

Raihvay  station 
on  the  Veracruz 
and  Jalapa. 

Boca  del  Monte Raihvay    station 

on  the  Nacional 
Mexicano. 
Amozoc |  Railroad  station.. 


Salazar. 


Las  Vigas  . 


Meters. 


5, 452 
5, 286 

5,146 
4,740 
4,461 

4, 623 
4,281 

3, 986 
3,  960. 09 
3, 598. 09 

3. 500. 06 
3, 396 

3. 352. 07 

3,316 

3, 137. 05 

3,072 
3, 068. 04 

3,056 
2,164 

1,383 
1,300 
2,480 

2,360 

2,300 

2, 000-2, 300 

2, 000-2, 150 

2,047 

1,750-1,790 

1,740 

1,691 

1,227 

1,220 

1,171 

1,100 

919 

850 

64 

3, 040 


3,000 

2,421.10 

2, 415. 36 
2, 320 


Comisi6n    Geografico- 
Exploradora. 
Do. 
Do. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

Humboldt. 

Comision    Geogratico- 

Exploradora. 
Do. 
Matute  y  Barcena. 
Almazan. 

Do. 
Harcort. 
Report    of    Pedro    G. 

Conde. 
Comisi6n    Geograflco- 

Exploradora. 
Burkart. 

Almazan. 
Burkart. 

Harcort. 

Matute,  Iglesias  y  Bar- 
cena. 
Bustainente. 
Humboldt. 
Data  collected  by  Sr 
Ferrari. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Data  from  the  Minis- 
terio  de  Comunica- 
ciones. 

Do. 


Do. 
Do. 
Do. 


410 


MEXICO. 


General  synopsiaof  tin  meteorological  observations  taken  in  several  places  oftht  Republic 

during  tl"  year  1902. 


Place. 


<  !olima 

Chihuahua  

Guadalajara 

Guanajuato 

I.i  ■'■II  i  Guanajuato) 

Mazatlan 

Mi-riila 

Mi'Xiril 

Monterrey 

Uorelia 

Pachuca.    

I'm.  i. hi  

Quer6ta.ro 

Zacatecas 


Barometer. 


5  = 


Mm. 
721.7 
641.0 
633.  I 
601.6 
017.1 

759. 5 
760. 1 
585.5 
716.3 
608.5 

572. 6 
592. 1 
618.6 
671.  I 


a! 

=  - 


Mm. 

729. '.' 
6 18.  6 
634.0 
607.0 

622. 0 

768.  B 
590.1 

7J7. '.' 
612. 9 
.".77.  0 
596.3 

618. 1 
576.5 


5  jg 

I! 

.=  s 


Mm. 

718.8 
632.  I 

628.  7 

696. :: 
610.3 
762. 1 

751.'. 

578.  f, 
701.8 
602.8 
566.  I 
587. :: 
607.2 
565.0 


Temperature    in    the 

shade." 


-  - 
=  = 

•Hi 

-- 


36.5 
87.0 
34.7 

34.5 
84.5 
33.3 
10.8 

30.6 
38.  5 
31.9 
28.  I 

34.8 

30.6 


=  ~ 


ll.o 
3.0 
:..  u 
1.0 

II. '.I 

13.8 

8. '.' 
0.5 
L2 

-  1.0 
7.0 

-  1.4 
0.6 

-  2.0 


24.4 
18.5 

20.0 
18. :. 
18.6 
21.7 
26.  1 
15.9 
22.  7 
16.6 
16.9 
l  5. :. 
18. :; 
15.0 


Largest 
liiniitlilv  rain- 
fail. 


.Inly. 

July  iiml  Auk. 
July. 
"l>... 

in.. 

I'... 
October. 
July. 

September. 
July. 

September. 
July. 

Do. 
September. 


o 
-   . 

=  ~ 

- 

■-  = 

>-  — 
9 

- 

Clouds. 

Winds. 

Rainfall. 

Average 
evaporation. 

Place. 

=  1 

~  s  >. 
-  E.r 

■g;gj 

-:  -  - 
-  Hi 

5>. 

o 

_Z 
- 

= 

c 

-   I  L 

a 

— 

3 

-  — 

—  t 

•  'i.liina 

66 
46 
55 
50 
60 
74 
7ii 
66 
64 
62 
69 
64 
64 
55 

4.7 
5.0 
5.8 
2.8 
6.2 
::.  I 
5.3 
5. :: 
4.6 
4.9 
3.3 
4.3 
:s.o 
3.7 

NE.  amis. 

NE. 

6 

ENE. 

NW. 

8.2 
16.0 

1.6 

679.  1 
7 1          467.  •"> 
91            804-8 

44.8 
13.0 
58.0 

.v,.ii 

Chihuahua 

Guadalajara 

Guanajuato 

B.  1 
16.  1 
18.0 

7.;» 
12.4 
12.5 

12.0 
7.3 
1 1.  6 

\:\.  \ 
12.:. 

1.3 
1.9 
1.0 
0.7 

'  '2.*9 

1.7 

2.3 
2.  6 

63 

Hil 

Leon  i  Guanajuato) . 

572.  7 

Mazatlan 

w. 

NE. 

NE.            NE. 
SE.            SE. 

SW.       S.auilSW. 

NE. 

K.                 K. 
E. 

6.7 

2.7 

Menda 

69         819, : 
131          451.4     42.2 

;i7          :.'.C. ::      is.  u 
77          674.7      14.  u 

t'.'.l         1    ''J?   fi      "I.".  II 

Mexico 

6.2 

2.6 

Monterrey 

8.8 

Pachuca 

I'm i. in 

110 
79 
86 

915. 3 

;.s7.  i 

481.1 

74.6 

64.0 
28.  7 

5.0 

Queretero 

Zacatecas 



n  Centigrade. 
Vital  statistics  for  tiu  year  1901,  and  population  in  1900. 


Aguascalientes . 

< lampecbe 

Coahuila 

Colima 

Chiapas 

Chihuahua  

Federal  District 

Durango 

Guanajuato 

Guerrero 

Hidalgo 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

Michoaoan 

Morelos 

Nuevo  Le6n 

Oaxaea 


Male. 


4.731 

i .  .;:.7 

4,110 

1.036 

6, 185 

5,  326 

8,371 

5,  373 

12,078 

9,489 

9,  135 

26,  966 

14,261 

24, 690 

3, 305 

7.106 

19,385 


Female. 


4,462 
1 .  566 
3,731 

873 

5, 737 

5,113 

7,890 

5,022 

11,319 

8,840 

s.J.M 

24,  467 

12,834 

22.160 

3,096 

6,455 

18,062 


a  Birth  rate,  34.54  per  1,000  inhabitants. 


Total. 


9,193 

3,222 

7,841 

1,909 
11,922 
10, 439 
16, 261 
10, 395 
23,397 
18,329 
17,389 
50,423 
27,085 
16,860 

6,401 
13, 561 
37, 437 


Legiti- 
mate. 


7, 608 

2,  423 
7,  021 
1,130 
3,133 


6,223 
7,080 
11,594 


6,388 
44,821 

Js.i.js 


2,952 
12,183 
13,055 


Illegiti- 
mate. 


1,690 
799 
820 

779 
8,789 


10,038 
3,315 
11,803 


11,001 
5,602 
9,057 


3,449 

1,378 

24, 382 


VITAL    STATISTICS. 


411 


Vital  statistics  for  the  year  1901,  and  population  in  1900 — Continued. 


- 

Births. 

State. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Legiti- 
mate. 

Illegiti- 
mate. 

12, 869 
1,903 

11,077 
4,275 
2, 328 
3,618 
2, 842 
3,150 

14,453 
8, 260 

10, 503 

6,180 

617 

11,934 
1,091 

10, 220 
4,023 
2, 026 
3,390 
2,  457 
3,038 

13,185 

7,759 

9,870 

5, 751 

587 

24,  803 
3,594 

21,297 
8,298 
4,354 
7, 008 

5,  299 

6,  1S8 
27,638 
16,019 
20, 373 
11,931 

1,204 

13,  449 
2, 887 
15, 932 
2,422 
2, 264 
3,592 
3,634 
4,876 
11,306 
13, 166 
17, 208 
3,980 
618 

11,354 

707 

5,365 

5,876 

2,090 

3,416 

1,665 

1,312 

16, 332 

2,853 

3, 105 

7, 951 

586 

Total 

244, 259 

225, 801 

470,  060 

238,868 

155, 574 

Aguascalientes. . . 
Lower  California 

Campeche 

Coabuila 

Colima 

Chiapas 

Chihuahua  

Durango 

Federal  District. . 

Guanajuato 

Guerrero 

Hidalgo 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

Michoacan 

Morelos 

Nuevo  Leon  

Oaxaca  

Puebla 

Quer6taro 

San  Luis  Potosf .. 

Sinaloa 

Sonora 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 

Tlaxcala 

Veracruz 

Yucatan 

Zacatecas 

Topic 


Total. 


Deaths,  a 


Mexi- 
cans. 


4, 303 
1,210 

2,  617 
7,  369 
2,  590 
8,706 


10, 491 

2S,  9*5 
35, 994 


19,868 
39, 151 
30, 716 


6, 897 

8, 875 

31, 582 

36, 512 

7, 510 

17,088 

7, 375 

4,447 

5,723 

4,891 

5, 461 

26, 552 

17,  892 

14,198 

6, 225 


393, 348 


Foreign.       Male.        Female.       Total 


31 

300 

6 


204 
91 

7 


1,128 


2,263 

681 

1,288 

3,831 

1,473 

4,617 

3,398 

5,491 

15, 265 

18,269 

8,439 

10, 264 

20, 059 

16, 012 

14,116 

3,615 

4,528 

16, 828 

18, 877 

3,757 

8,690 

3,869 

2, 446 

2, 965 

2,540 

2,837 

14, 279 

9,820 

7, 272 

3,272 


231,061 


2, 107 

545 

1,354 

3,671 

1,122 

4,149 

3,139 

5,031 

14, 020 

17, 731 

7,982 

9,621 

19,116 

14,723 

13, 350 

3, 292 

4,384 

14, 774 

17, 665 

3,755 

8,457 

3,527 

2,083 

2,798 

2,385 

2, 624 

12, 477 

8,163 

6,933 

2,961 


213, 839 


4,370 

1 ,  220 

2,642 

7,402 

2, 595 

8,766 

6, 537 

10,  522 

29, 285 

36, 000 

16, 421 

19,885 

39,175 

30, 735 

27, 466 

6,907 

8, 912 

31,602 

36,542 

7, 512 

17,147 

7,396 

4, 529 

5, 763 

4,925 

5,461 

26, 756 

17, 983 

14, 205 

6, 233 


444, 900 


Popula- 
tion, cen- 
sus 1900. 


102, 416 
47, 624 
86, 542 
296, 938 
65, 115 
360, 799 
327, 784 
370,294 
541,516 

1,001,724 
479, 205 
605, 051 

1,153,891 
934, 463 
930, 033 
160, 115 
327, 937 
948, 633 

1,021,133 
232, 389 
575, 432 
290, 701 
221,082 
159,834 
218, 948 
172, 315 
981,030 
314,087 
462, 190 
150, 098 


13, 005, 919 


"Death  rate,  32.29  per  1,000  inhabitants. 


412 


MEXICO. 


Estimated  value  of  the  city  and  suburban  property  in  Mexico  on  December  SI,  1902. 
[Values  in  Mexican  silver.] 


Aguascalientes  . 

Campeche 

i  !oahuila 

Colima 

Chiapas 

Chihuahua 

Duraugo  

Federal  <  1  i>t  ric-t . 

Guanajuato 

Guerrero 

Hidalgo 

Jalisco 


Lower  California, 
Low  er  California, 

Mexico 

MichoacAn 

Morelos 

Nuevo  Lt'i'iu 

Oaxaca 

Puebla 

Queretaro 

San  Luis  PotOSi    .  . 

Sinaloa 

Sonora  

Tabasco 

i  amaulipas 

Territory  of  Tepic 

Tlazcala 

Veracruz 

Yucatan 

Zacatecaa 


lorthern  district 
outhern  ilisirii  i 


Total 


961.77 

691.00 

400.00 
129.00 
572.67 
915.00 
293.17 
940.08 
936.00 
77:;.:;;: 
222.00 
172.66 
038  72 
63  i  96 
195. 00 
023.34 
045.  13 
107.51 
880.04 
075.00 
545.00 
75s.  20 

167.  B5 

007.  l(i 
963.21 

52s.  I II I 

406.05 
180.72 
125. 51 
451.82 


6,874, 
6, 562, 

1,  no, 

6,048, 

6,219, 

168,  127, 

11,804, 
1,280, 
8,690, 

37,779, 

215, 

1,084, 

11,794, 
9,670, 

1,901, 

8, 292, 

23,  110, 
1,868, 

10,839, 
1,966, 
6,458, 
5,654, 
5, 987, 

2.  797, 
878, 

38,618, 
14,044, 
9.481, 


000.00 
280.00 

975.00 

120.  16 

1/90.00 
976,  II 
648.12 
234.00 
264.  13 
948.00 

107.00 
421.40 

133.07 
309.00 
076.89 

157.86 
166.09 
080.00 
259.00 
891.25 
272.  07 
172.69 
981.28 
664.24 
535.08 
550.  in 
878. 69 
172.64 


Total. 


ST.  IV.), 

11,666, 

14,976, 

1,261, 

JT.  1  17. 

22,  I  16, 

201,967, 

14,961, 

8,982, 

27,217, 

1,178, 
8,742, 
38,283, 
84,761, 
9,  is:}, 
16,  178, 
21,718, 
66,  77:!. 
14,511, 
25,  786, 
11.  105, 
11,201, 
13,817, 
12,382, 
6,689, 
B,  i::i. 
92,654, 
29, 136, 
25,068, 


961.77 

971.00 
14LO0 
376.00 
717.00 
992.  S3 
006.00 
269.61 
588.20 
L69.00 
037.76 
170.00 

879. 66 
160.12 
069.08 

50^1.00 
100.23 
325.  1 5 
566.  37 
346. 18 
L66.00 

.SOI.  00 

649.  15 
729.  92 

17'.'  86 
884.  ii 

192.  2  I 

940. 13 
730.82 
004. 18 
628.96 


170,986,854.43     428,588,987.67       899,525,842.10 


Revenues  and  expenditures  of  the  States  in  1900,  1901,  <m<l  1902. 

[Values  in  Mexican  silver.] 

REVENUES. 


State. 


1900. 


Aguascalientes S124.618.59 

Campeche 315,985.62 

Coahuila 486,485.37 

( V  ilima 141, 918. 49 

Chiapas 521, 235. 67 

Chihuahua I  1,100,807.03 

Duraugo 1,068,581.26 

Guanajuato 1  l,  300, 910. 80 

Guerrero 44o,  ill.  74 

Bidalgo 1 ,  083, 679. 22 

Jalisco l .  -ill,  546. 77 

Mexico , .  1, 120, 946.  B3 

Michoacan 988, 861. 70 

Morelos 399, 238. 98 

Nuevo  Leon  369, 609. 74 

( taxaca 9.50,236. 22 

Puebla 1 ,  229, 949. 46 

Queretan  i 352, 382, 49 

Sau  Luis  Potost 961,882.22 

Sinaloa 468, 882. 41 

Sonora 681, 104. 84 

Tabasco 414,473.06 

Tamaulipas 804,324.45 

Tlaxcala 243,  hit.  41 

Veracruz 965, 891 .  47 

Yucatan 1, 608, 821.  64 

Zacatecas 1,411, 489.  98 

Total 20, 289, 632. 96 

Federal  Treasury 64, 675, 098.  15 

Grand  total 84,964,031.11 


1901. 


1902. 


8127,065.00 
848, 674.  40 
446,  743.  .SO 

125,  259.. si 
492, 022. 77 


1,754,669.81 

1,150,462.71 

489,014.48 

1,149,685.70 

1,810,059.29 

1,611,856.14 

1,002,951.81 

372, 905. 19 

278, 977.  82 

909, 296. 36 

1,255,810.26 

346, 539. 72 

938, 643. 60 

503, 971. 16 

605, 986. 60 

431,505.45 

247, 742. 97 

231, 047. 80 

1,061,111.61 

868, 897. 93 

1,526,832.56 


19,977,724.25 
.196.17 


Total. 


S172.213.35 
291,577.17 
515,  330. 15 
164,756.24 
395, 713. 48 


B79,  423. 05 

1,184,078.18 

447,681.84 

1,230,  677.  56 

1,814,807.93 

1,121,931.88 

992, 508. 46 

365, 762. 24 

340.4  19.  12 

981,066.03 

1,286,290.87 

409, 726.  72 

928, 734. 37 

502,298.14 

664,831.04 

533, 216. 58 

399,114.35 

294,112.12 


1,460,017.82 
758,635.26 


18, 086,  952.  39 
66, 774, 380. 15 


SI,  239, 
3,  279, 
4,079, 
1,392, 
4,668, 
6,100, 
9,  675, 
12,788, 
4,023, 
13,941, 
14,397, 
10,666, 
10,  198, 
3,908, 
2, 479, 
9, 167, 
11,721, 
3,387, 
9,887, 
5,100, 
5,879, 
3,800, 
2,314, 
2, 105. 
8, 645, 
9,852, 
11,172, 


132.01 
761.02 
842.82 

047.50 
333.86 
043. 76 
974.90 
116.16 
218.08 
102.  08 

872. 28 
180.95 
172. 12 
891.79 
556.97 
498.41 
849.90 

825. 29 
007. 26 
393. 57 
830.14 
010. 99 
947.93 
446.  79 
514.09 
062.  36 
910. 76 


185,623,033.74 
638, 798, 257.  49 


83,260,920.42   84,861,882.64  1  724,421,291.23 


WEIGHTS    AND    MEASUEES. 


413 


Revenues  and  expenditures  of  the  State  in  1900,  1901,  and  1902 — Continued. 
EXPENDITURES. 


State. 


Aguascalientes... 

Campeche 

Coahuila 

Colima 

Chiapas 

Chihuahua 

Durango 

Guanajuato 

Guerrero 

Hidalgo 

Jalisco 

Mexico 

Michoacan 

Morelos 

Nuevo  Leon 

Oaxaca  

Puebla 

Queretaro 

San  Luis  Potosi  . . 

Sinaloa 

Sonora 

Tabasco 

Tamaulipas 

Tlaxcala 

Veracruz 

Yucatan 

Zacatecas 

Total 

Federal  Treasury 

Grand  total 


1900. 


$119, 

271, 

465, 

141, 

499, 

1,132, 

1,054, 

1,386, 

434. 

1,034, 

1,515, 

1, 143, 

962, 

384, 

358, 

886, 

1,479, 

340, 

934, 

473, 

638, 

413, 

294, 

247, 

1,119, 

1,507, 

1,405, 


209. 91 
736. 00 
372. 10 
837. 09 
763. 57 
559. 18 
113.44 
758. 99 
224.  01 
697. 55 
561.00 

505. 84 
645. 47 
013. 73 
013.11 
919.80 
933. 09 
108. 71 
776.81 

153. 85 
016. 87 
559.  46 
189. 60 
030. 84 

659. 92 
944. 21 
761.79 


20,645,065.94 
67,944,687.85 


78, 589, 753. 79 


1901. 


1125, 627. 71 
302, 252. 84 
433, 927,.  66 
122, 837. 64 
532, 179. 09 


1, 754,  305.  58 
1,269,257.13 

460. 987. 11 
1,098,181.88 
1,799,597.45 
1,066,877.53 

919, 162.  34 

363. 497. 12 
265, 173. 47 
896, 006. 31 

1, 196,  337.  38 
344,362.11 

817. 546. 13 
493, 227. 80 
500, 613. 53 
408,112.01 
247,424.90 
230, 905. 76 

1,039,527.28 
1,018,308.80 
1, 525, 309. 68 


19,231,546.24 
59, 423, 005. 75 


78, 654, 551. 99 


1902 


8169, 196. 94 
337, 013. 09 
503, 707. 24 
157, 869. 54 
393, 668. 51 


611,382.24 
1, 146,  668. 12 

423,  230.  22 
1,222,483.90 


875, 231. 16 
123, 289. 20 
959, 032. 54 
366, 229. 14 
371, 727. 87 
891,263.32 
1,227,450.64 
402,867.95 
919,  347. 19 
512,201.13 
496, 705. 45 
523, 331. 70 
384,976.76 
255, 668. 94 


1,320,183.65 
791, 991. 19 


17,322,707.63 
63,081,513.73 


3, 404, 221. 36 


Total, 


81,  228, 
3, 106, 
3, 853, 
1,355, 
4,616, 
6, 940, 
9, 285, 

13,531, 
3,  747, 

13, 626, 

14, 636, 
9,800, 

10, 067, 
3,842, 
2, 339, 
8,848, 

11,468, 
3, 352, 
8, 959, 
5,006, 
5, 742, 
3, 747, 
2, 193, 
2, 074, 
8, 531, 
9, 305, 

11,153, 


667. 68 
973. 82 
862. 06 
519. 10 
217. 93 
196.  54 
973. 30 
261. 10 
248.  57 
928. 84 
651.  97 
189. 03 
730. 24 
552. 64 
606. 59 
647. 14 
703. 78 
661.  45 
481. 86 
721.74 
607. 56 
748.  73 
993. 72 
895. 00 
337. 66 
328. 59 
30L.48 


181,365,008.12 
518, 979,  935.  49 


700, 344, 943.  61 


WEIGHTS   AND   MEASURES. 

The  metric  system  is  in  official  use  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  hav- 
ing been  adopted  by  the  Government  in  the  year  1862.  It  is  used  to 
compute  all  customs  and  other  duties  to  be  paid  to  the  General  Govern- 
ment, in  the  measurement  of  public  lands,  and  by  the  railroads  in  all 
freight  and  other  transactions,  and  is  exclusively  taught  in  the  public 
schools.  The  old-time  weights  and  measures  were  founded  on  Spanish 
models,  but,  owing  to  the  inexactness  of  the  first  standards  and  to  sub- 
sequent changes,  differ  at  present  very  widely  from  their  originals. 
The  value  of  the  metric  system  here  assigned  to  each  denomination  of 
the  old  weights  and  measures  is  that  fixed  by  the  Mexican  Govern- 
ment at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the  metric  s}^stem.  These  tables 
are  from  the  first  edition  of  the  Handbook  of  Mexico,  published  by 
the  Bureau  of  the  American  Republics  in  1891.  They  are  reproduced 
here  because  the  nomenclature  of  the  old  system  is  still  in  use  in  pub- 
lications on  Mexico.  By  law  of  June  19,  1895,  the  metric  system  was 
declared  the  onl}T  legal  system  of  weights  and  measures  in  the  country, 
and  became  compulsory  throughout  the  Republic  on  September  16, 
1896.  The  equivalents  in  American  weights  and  measures  were  calcu- 
lated from  data  found  in  Trautwine's  Pocket  Book  as  to  the  comparison 
between  French  and  American  weights  and  measures,  and  are  believed 
to  be  correct. 


414 


MKXICO. 


I.INKAH    MBASUBBB. 

1  Italia  (league)    =5,000  varan  =4.19  kilometers  =2.604375  miles. 
I  vara  (yard)       =3  pies  =0.s:;soo  meter    =2.749578  feet 

1  pie"    fool  =12  pulgadas  =0.27933  meter    =0.916526  foot 

l  polgada  (inch)  =12  tineas      =0.02328  meter    =0.916526  inch. 
1  linea  (line)  =0.00194  meter    =0.076377  inch. 

The  vara  is  also  divided  (for  dry-g Is  s^< -1 1  i n<r">  into  palmofl  or  cuartas. 

1  palmo  or  cuarta  =0.209500  meter  =0.687394  foot  =8.248728  inches. 

SUPERFICIAL  OB  SQUARE  HBASURB. 

1  square  legua      =1,755.61  hectares  =  4,339.4  acres. 

1  square  vara        =0.702244  square  meter  =  7.559000  square  feet. 
1  square  pie"  =0.078027  square  meter  =  0.839888  square  foot 

1  square  palmo     =0.043890  square  meter  =68.03094  square  inches. 
1  square  polgada  =0.000542  square  meter  =  0.84012  square  inch. 

Land  or  agrarian  measures. 


Spanish  name. 


Hacienda 

Sitiode  ganado  mayor 

Sitio  de  ganado  menor 

Fundo  legal  para  pueblo 

Labor  

CabaUeria  <lc  tierra 

Fanega  Bembradura  de  maiz  . 

Polar  para   casa,  molino,  6 
venta. 


Nearest  English  equiva- 
lent. 


Plantation 

Cow  ranch 

Sheep  ranch 

Legal  town  site 

Field 

Knighthold  of  land  . . . 

Sowing  u  r>  'M  ml  for  l  fa- 
nega of  corn. 

site  for  a  house,  mill, or 
inn. 


Length 

Breadth 

i  varas). 

(  varas  i. 

25.000 

5,000 

5,000 

5,000 

3.333J 

3, 333j 

1,200 

1,200 

1,000 

1,000 

1,104 

552 

276 

184 

60 

50 

Hectares. 


8,778.0500000 
1,755.6100000 
780.2711111 
101. 1231860 
70. 2244000 
42.7963111 
8.5662759 

.1755610 


Acres. 


21,f,97.000 

4,839. 400 

1,928. 183 

244.  140 

175.532 

106.751 

B.813 

.  184 


H  V I  )Ko.M  BTBIC    H  BASURB. 

This  was  used  for  measuring  and  distributing  water  for  irrigation 

and  domestic  uses: 

1  buey  ( ox ) =48  surcos. 

1  gurco  |  turn iw) =  3  naranjas. 

1  naranja  (orange) =  8  reales  or  Ivnumu. 

1  real  (bit)  or  limfrn  i  lemon) =  2  dedot. 

1  ih  do  |  finger) =  9  pajas  (straws  i. 

According  to  the  old  ordinances  of  lands  and  waters  established  in 
Spanish  times,  the  buey  of  water  was  as  much  as  would  flow  through 
an  aperture  1  vara  (0.838  meter)  square,  no  head  or  pressure  being 
mentioned.  By  a  law  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  of  August  2,  1863, 
1  gurco  was  made  equal  to  •'»•'  liters  per  second  for  rural  measures,  and 
thepoja  was  made  equal  to  0.45  liters  per  minute  for  town  measure- 
ments. This  distinction  was  intended  to  make  the  surco  a  unit  for 
irrigation,  while  the paja  was  made  the  unit  for  distributing  water  to 
houses,  etc.,  in  towns. 


WEIGHTS    AND    MEASUEES.  415 

CUBIC   MEASURES. 

Cubic  meter.  Cubic  yard. 

1  cubic  vara =     0.588480  =    0.769734 

lcubicjwe.... =     0.021795  =     0.769484 

\  cxxhic  palmo =     0.009195  =     0.324634 

DRY    MEASURES. 

Liters.  Bushels. 

1  carga=2  fanegas - =181.  629775  =     5. 154357 

1  /,m«7«  =  12almudes =90.814888  =     2.577178 

Pecks. 
1  almud=4  cuartillos =     7. 567907  =     0.  859109 

Dry  quarts. 
1  cuartillo  (quart) =     1.891977  =     1.718122 

OIL   MEASURE. 

Liter.  U.  S.  liquid  quart. 

lcuartiUo =     0.506162  =     0.534870 

AVINE    MEASURE. 

Liter.  U.  S.  liquid  quart. 

Icuarlillo =     0.456264  =     0.482140 

COMMERCIAL   WEIGHTS. 

Kilogrammes.      U.  S.  pounds  avoirdupois. 

1  quh>tal=4  arrobas =46.  024634  =101 .  444 

1  arroba=25  lihras =  11.  506159  =  25.  361 

1  libra  ( pound)  =16  onzas =     0.  460246  =     1 .  01444 

Ounces  avoirdupois. 

1  onzn  (ounce)  =16  adarmes =     0.028765  =     1.0148 

I  adarme  (dram )  =36  grano* =     0.001798  =     0.06343 

Grains. 
1  grano  (grain) =     0.0000499  =     0.77160 

In  commerce  there  was  used  the  following  relation  between  the  kilo- 
gramme and  the  pound  (libra)  different  from  the  ratio  as  fixed  by 
Government,  viz: 

1  kilogramme - =2.  1 733  pounds  (libras) 

There  is  also  a  weight  called  carga,  used  in  commerce,  in  freighting, 
and  in  minirrg: 

1  <nrga=12  orro6as=300  pounds =138.  073902  kilogrammes=304.  332 

United  States  pounds  avoirdupois. 

PRECIOUS    METAL    WEIGHTS. 

Kilogramme.  Ounces  avoirdupois. 

1  marco=8  onzas =0.  230123  =8.  1 1 84 

1  onza=8  ochavas =0.028765  =1.0148 

1  ochava  ( eighth )  =6  tomines =0.  003596  =0.  12685 

Grains. 

1  Umin=\2  granos =0.000599  =9.25920 

1  grano =0.0000499  =0.77160 


416  MEXICO. 

The  following  table  shows  the  coins  issued  by  the  Mexican  mints: 


Denomination. 


Fine- 
ness. 


Gold  coins:  a 

Double  hidalgo 875 

Hidalgo -: 

Medio  hidalgo 875 

Cuarto  hidalgo 876 

Decimo  hidalgo 875 

Silver  coins:  n 

Peso  902 

ntavos 902 

25  centavos 902 

lOcentavos 902 


Value  in 


20.00 
10.00 

5.00 
2.50 
1.00 

1.00 
.60 

.10 


Weight  in— 


Diameter  in— 


Grams. 


Troy 

(.unci-. 


Milli- 
meters. 


Inches. 


83.841 
16.920 

8.460 
l.2:«) 
1 .  692 

27.073 
13.536 
6.  768 

2.707 


L.0860 
.5480 
.2716 
.  13576 
.05430 

.866 
.  183 
.2165  . 
0866 


1.06299 
.86614 
70866 

1.  15669 
1.18110 
.98426 


a  There  were  formerly  coined  in  gold  theonza    816  in  silver;  the  media  onza    $8;  the  pistols    f4; 
the  escudo  de  oro    5J:  and  the  escudito  de  oro=$l.    In  silver,  the  real -=$0.12t;  medio  real    JO.ot;;. 


CHAMBERS   OP   COMMERCE. 


Chambers  of  commerce  in  the  United  Mexican  States  at  tin'  begin- 
ning of  the  year  L902,  as  given  in  the  Anuario  Estadistico  for  L902: 


City. 

State 

Saltillo 

Do. 

Chiapas. 

Do. 

Puebla 

Puebla. 

Do. 

i  amaulipas. 
Do. 

Distrito  Federal. 

Do      

Do. 

l),. 

Do. 

MONETARY    CENSUS. 


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509a— 04 27 


418  MEXICO. 

i  i;i:  \  ri  i  -    \m»  <  <»n\  in  tions. 

ARGENTINE    REPUBLIC. 

Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  '-.),  19(12. 

HKl.oir.M. 

Convention  for  the  extradition  of  criminals,  May  12,  1881. 
Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  June  7,  1895. 

BOLIVIA. 

Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  29,  1902. 

chin  \. 
Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  December  14,  1899. 

DOMINICAN    REPUBLIC. 

Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  March  29,  1890. 
Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  29,  1902. 

ECUADOR. 

Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  April  24,  1893. 

FRANCE. 

Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  November  27,  1886. 
Parcels-post  convention,  December  10,  1891. 
Regulations  governing  the  same,  January  22,  1892. 
Trade-marks  convention,  April  10,  1899. 

GERMANY. 

Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  December  5,  1882. 
Parcels-post  convention,  May  24,  L892. 

Amendment  to  paragraph  1,  article  4   ofBaid  convention,  November  21,  1894. 
Convention  amending  article  4  of  the  parcels-post  convention  of  May  24,  1892,  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1897. 
Treaty  for  the  protection  of  trade-marks,  August  L6,  1898. 

GREAT   BRITAIN    AND   IRELAND. 

Preliminary  to  the  resumption  of  diplomatic  relations,  August  0,  1884. 
Treaty  for  the  extradition  of  criminals,  September  7,  1886. 
Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  November  27,  1888. 
Parcels-post  convention,  February  15,  1889. 
Regulations  governing  same,  March  12,  1890. 

Regulations  governing  fiscal  officers  in  connection  with  postal  authorities,  in  fulfill- 
ment of  the  above-mentioned  postal  treaty,  March  12,  1890. 
Treaty  of  boundaries  between  Yucatan  and  Belize  (British  Honduras),  July  8,  1893. 

GUATEMALA. 

Preliminary  convention  on  boundaries,  December  7,  1877. 

Act  extending  the  period  fixed  in  article  8  of  said  convention,  May  3,  1879. 

Convention  for  the  prorogation  of  the  periods  named  in  articles  7  and  8  of  said 

convention,  March  3,  1879. 
Treaty  of  boundaries,  September  27,  1882. 


TREATIES    AND    CONVENTIONS.  419 

Convention  extending  for  one  year  the  period  fixed  by  the  above-mentioned  treaty, 

June  8,  1885/ 
Convention  extending  the  period  fixed  for  the  conclusion  of  th^,  work  of  the  joint 

commission  on  boundaries,  October  6,  1886. 
Convention  for  the  same  purpose,  October  20,  1890. 
Claims  convention,  January  26,  1888. 
Convention  extending  the  period  for  the  conclusion  of  the  work  of  the  boundary 

commission,  October  22,  1888. 
Convention  for  the  same  purpose,  October  20,  1890. 
Claims  convention,  December  22,  1891. 
Convention  for  the  extradition  of  criminals,  May  19,  1894. 
Convention  on  boundaries,  July  10,  1894. 
Adjustment  of  the  difficulties  arising  from  the  exercise  of  acts  of  sovereignty  in 

Mexican  territory,  April  1,  1895. 
Convention  extending  the  period  within  which  the  boundary  line  must  be  drawn, 

March  16,  1896. 
Convention  for  the  same  purpose,  October  6,  1897. 
Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  29,  1902. 


Convention  to  determine  the  nationality  of  Mexicans  born  in  Italy  and  Italians  born 

in  Mexico,  August  20,  1888. 
Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  April  24,  1893. 
Treaty  for  extradition  of  criminals,  May  22,  1899. 


Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  April  24,  1893. 

NETHERLANDS. 

Treaty  of  amity  and  commerce,  September  22,  1897. 

NICARAGUA. 

Treaty  of  amity  and  commerce,  November  6,  1900. 

PARAGUAY. 

Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  29,  1902. 

PERSIA. 

Treaty  of  amity  and  commerce,  May  14,  1902. 

PERU. 

Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  29,  1902. 

SALVADOR. 

Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  April  24,  1903. 
Convention  for  the  exchange  of  publications,  July  29,  1895. 
Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  29,  1902. 


Treaty  for  the  extradition  of  criminals,  November  17,  1881. 
Convention  for  the  authentication  of  signatures,  October  11,  1901. 
Treaty  of  arbitration,  January  11,  1902. 
Treaty  on  literary  and  artistic  copyrights,  March  26,  1903. 


4  "J 1 1  MEXICO. 

SWEHKN     \M>    KOKWAT. 

Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  ami  navigation,  July  29,  1S85. 

INI  1 1  D   8TATB8   01     \mi:i:i<\\. 

Treat;  of  limits,  concluded  January  L2,  1828,  proclaimed  April  5,  1832. 

Treaty  of  limits,  concluded  April  5,  1831,  proclaimed  April  5,  1832. 

Treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  concluded  April  5,   1831,  proclaimed 

April  5,  1832. 
Treaty  <>f  limit.-,  concluded  April  :;.  1835,  proclaimed  April  21,  1836. 
Claims  convention,  concluded  April  11,  1839,  proclaimed  April  s,  1840. 
Claims  convention,  concluded  January  30,  1843,  proclaimed  March  31,  1843. 
Treaty  uf  peace,  friendship,  limits,  ami  settlement  (treaty  <>f  Guadalupe  Hidalgo), 

concluded  February  2,  1848,  proclaimed  July  4,  1848. 
Treaty  of  boundary,  cession  of  territory,  transit  of  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepee.  etc 

(Gadsden  treaty),  concluded  December  30,  ls">:'>,  proclaimed  June  30,  1854. 
Extradition  treaty,  concluded  December  11,  1861,  proclaimed  June  30,  1862. 
Claims  convention,  concluded  July  4,  1868,  proclaimed  February  1,  1869. 
Naturalization  convention,  concluded  July  10,  1868,  proclaimed  February  1,  1869. 
Claims  convention,  concluded  April  19,  1871,  proclaimed  Februarys,  1872. 
Claims  convention,  concluded  November  27,  1872,  proclaimed  July  24,  1873. 
Claims  convention,  concluded  November  20,  1874,  proclaimed  January  28,  1875. 
Claims  convention,  concluded  April  1".',  1S76,  proclaimed  June  20,  1876. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  July  29,  1882,  proclaimed  March  5,  1883. 
Commercial  reciprocity  convention,  concluded  January  20,  1883,  proclaimed  June  2, 

1884. 
Boundary  convention,  Rio  I  rrande  and  Rio  Colorado,  concluded  November  12,  1884, 

proclaimed  September  14,  1886. 
Reciprocity  convention,  concluded  February  25,  1885,  proclaimed  May  4,  1886. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  December  5,  188n,  proclaimed  June  28,  1887. 
Reciprocity  convention,  concluded  May  14,  1886,  proclaimed  February  1,  L887. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  February  18,  1889,  proclaimed  October  14,  1889. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  March  1,  1889,  proclaimed  December  26,  1890. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  August  24,  1894,  proclaimed  October,  18,  1894. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  October  1,  1895,  proclaimed  December  21,  1895. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  Nbvember6,  1896,  proclaimed  December  23,  1896.. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  October  29,  1  s'.*7,  proclaimed  December  21,  1897. 
Boundary  convention,  concluded  December  2,  1898,  proclaimed  February  3,  1899. 
Treaty  for  the  extradition  of  criminals,  concluded   February  22,  1899,  promulgated 

April  24,  1899. 
Postal  money-order  convention,  concluded  September  2,  1899,  promulgated  October 

2,  1899. 
Convention  extending  indefinitely  the  time  fixed  by  the  boundary  convention  of 

March  1,  1899,  concluded  November  21,  1900,  promulgated  January  12,  1901. 
Additional  convention  to  the  extradition  treaty  of  February  22,  1899,  concluded  July 

25,  1902,  promulgated  March  28,  1903. 

OBUGUAY. 

Treaty  of  compulsory  arbitration,  January  29,  1902. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY   AND    CARTOGRAPHY. 

The  following  brief  list  of  works  on  Mexico  is  given  here  for  the 
benefit  of  those  who  desire  to  have  a  better  knowledge  of  the  country, 
and  merely  as  an  index  to  the  literature  on  the  subject: 

OFFICIAL    PUBLICATIONS. 

Anales  del  Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico.     Mexico. 

Anuario  Estadistico  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.     Ministerio  de  Fomento,  Mexico. 

Boletin  de  Agricultura,  Mineria  e  Industrias.     Mexico. 

Boletin  Comercial  de  la  Secretaria  de  Hacienda.     Mexico. 

Boletin  Demografico.     Ministerio  de  Fomento,  Mexico. 

Boletin  de  Estadi'stica  Fiscal.     Secretaria  de  Hacienda  y  Credito  Publico,  Mexico. 

Boletin  Oficial  de  la  Secretaria  de  Relaciones  Exteriores.     Mexico. 

Censo  General  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos  (1895).     Ministerio  de  Fomento, 

Mexico. 
Commercial  Relations  of  the  United  States.     Department  of  State,  Washington. 
Diario  Oficial.     Organo  del  Supremo  Gobierno,  Mexico. 

Estadi'stica  General  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.     Ministerio  de  Fomento,  Mexico. 
Guia  Postal  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.     Mexico. 
Informes  y  Mensajes  del  Ciudadano  General  Porfirio  Diaz,  Presidente  de  los  Estados 

Unidos  Mexicanos.     Mexico. 
Iniciativas  de  Presupuestos.     Secretaria  de  Hacienda  y  Credito  Publico,  Mexico. 
Informes  y  Memorias  de  la  Secretaria  de  Comunicaciones  y  Obras  Piiblicas.     Mexico. 
Informes  y  Memorias  de  la  Secretaria  de  Hacienda  y  Credito  Publico.     Mexico. 
Informes  y  Memorias  de  la  Secretaria  de  Fomento,    Colonization   e    Industrias. 

Mexico. 
Informes  y  Memorias  de  la  Secretaria  de  la  Gobernacion.     Mexico. 
Informes  y  Memorias  del  Ministerio  de  Guerra  y  Marina.     Mexico. 
Publications  of  the  Bureau  of  Statistics.     Treasury  Department,  Washington. 
United  States  Consular  Reports.     Department  of  State,  Washington. 

UNOFFICIAL    WORKS. 

Abbott,  Gorham  D.     Mexico  and  the  United  States.     New  York,  1869. 

Aguilera  (Jose  G.)  y  Ordonez  (Ezequiel).     Datos  para  la  Geologia  de  Mexico.     1893. 

Araluee,  Ramon  deS.  N.  (editor).     Guia  General  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.    Mexico. 
1899. 

Barrett,  Robert  S.'    Standard  Guide  to  the  City  of  Mexico  and  Vicinity.     Mexico. 
1900. 

Baedeker,  Carl  (editor).     The  United  States  with  an  Excursion  into  Mexico.     Leip- 
zig, 1899. 

421 


422  MEXICO. 

Bancroft,  Hubert  Hour.     A  Popular  History  of  the  Mexican  People.     London,  1887. 

Resources  and  Development  of  Mexico.     Bail  Francisco,  1893. 

BedoUQre,  Emile  G.  de  la.     Histoire  de  la  Guerre  du  Mezique.     Pari-.  1866. 
Berristain   >/  Seuza,   Josl    Mariano.      Biblioteca    Eiispano-Americana   Betentrional. 

Mexico,  1883. 
linn, ami,  J.     Le  Mexiqne.     Pari.-.  1899. 
Brocliehurt,    T.   U.     Mexico  To-day.     London,  1883. 
Boissiere,  Tli  de.     L' Empire  Mexieain,  etc.      Paris,  1863. 
Busto,  Ehniliano.     La  Administraci6n  Publica  en  Mexico.     Pan's,  1899. 
Oattonnet  des  Fosses  II.      Les  Origines  du  Peuple  Mexieain.     Angers,  1897. 
Castro,  Lorenzo.     The  Republic  of  Mexico  in  1882.     New  York,  1882. 
Charnay,  D.     Ancient  Cities  of  the  New  "World.     London. 
Chevalier,  Michel.     Le  Mexique  Ancien  et  Moderne.     Paris,  1886. 
Commercial  Directory  of  the  American  Repuhlies,  Vol.  II.  Mexico.     Bureau  of  the 

American  Republics,  Washington,  1898. 
Coney,  A.  K.  and    Qodoy,  Jos,'    /•'      Legal   and    Mercantile    BTandl k    of   Mexico. 

Chicago,  1892. 
Congling,  Howard.     Mexico  and  the  Mexican-.     New  York, 
Dahlgreen,  Chas.  B.     Minas  Historical  de  la  Repiiblica  Mexicana,  1887. 
Dados  Salinas,  Adolfo.    The  Riches  of  Mexico  and  its  Institution-.     St.  Louis,  Mo., 

1893. 
Egloffstein,  Baron  F.   W.     Contributions  to  the  Geology  and    Physical  Geography  of 

Mexico.     New  York,  1864. 
Garcia  Cubas,  Antonio.     Mexico,  its  Trade,  Industries,  and  Resources,  translated  by 

William  Thompson.     Mexico,  1893. 

Etude  Geographique,  Statistique,  Descriptive  el    Historique   des    Ptats-I'nis 

Mexicains.     Mexico,  1889. 

G 'loner,  Prosper.    Les  Finances  des  Etats-Unis  Mexicains.     Bruxelles,  1895. 
Hamilton,  Leonidas.     Border  States  of  Mexico.     Chicago,  1882. 
Hesse  Wartegg,  Ernst  von.     Mexico,  Land  und  Leute.     Vienna,  1.890, 
Kessler,  H.  Prof.     Notizen  fiber  Mexico.     Berlin,  1898. 
Kozhevar,  E.     Report  on  the  Republic  of  Mexico.     London,  1880. 
Lemeke,  Heinrich.     Mexico:  das  Land  und  seine  Leute.     Berlin,  1900. 
Lummis,  Chas.  F.     The  Awakening  of  a  Nation.      New  York,  1898. 
Memorias  y  Revista  de  la  Sociedad  Cientffica  "Antonio  Alzate."     Mexico. 
Monthly  Bulletin  of  the  Bureau  of  American  Republics.      Washington. 
Noll,  Arthur  Howard.     A  short  History  of  Mexico.    Chicago,  1890. 
Ober,  F.  A.    Travels  in  Mexico.     Boston,  1884. 
Orozco  y  Berra,  Manuel.     Apuntes  para  la  Geograffa  en  Mexico.     Mexico,  1881. 

Materiales  para  una  Cartografi'a  Mexicana.     Mexico,  1871. 

Prescolt,  W.  H.     History  of  the  Conquest  of  Mexico.     London. 

Ramirez,  Santiago.     Noticia  Historica  de  la  RiquezaMinerade  Mexico.     Mexico,  1884. 
Ratzel,  Fried.     Aus  Mexico:  Reiseskizzen  aus  den  Jahren  1874-75.     Breslau,  1878. 
Bxoa  Palacio,  Vicente.     Mexico  a  T raves  de  los  Siglos.     Mexico,  1887-1889. 
Romero,  Matias.     Geographical  and  Statistical  Notes  on  Mexico.     New  YTork,  1898. 

La  Conferencia  Internacional  Americana.     Mexico,  1890. 

Mexico  and  the  United  States.     New  York,  1898. 

Roulier,  G.     Le  Mexique  de  nos  Jours.     Paris,  1895. 
Sehmitz,  Otto.     Die  Finanzen  Mexikos.     Leipzig,  1894. 

Schroeder,  Seaton.     The  fall  of  Maximilian's  Empire  as  seen  from  a  United  States 

gunboat.     New  York,  1887. 
Scobel,  A.     Die  Verkehrswege  Mexico  und   ihre  wirtschaitliche  Bedeutung.      (In 

Deutsche  Geographische  Blatter,  Band  X,  Heft  I.)     Bremen,  1887. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY  423 

Seler,  E.     Mexico  and  Guatemala.     Berlin,  1896. 

Sobato,  Jose  G.     Estudio  sobre  las  aguas  medicinales  de  la  Repiiblica.     Mexico,  1884. 
Starr,  Frederick.     Indians  of  Southern  Mexico.     Chicago,  1899. 
Statesman's  Yearbook.     London. 
Valentini,  Philipp  J.  J.     The  Mexican  Calendar  Stone  (compiled  and  arranged  from 

the  German  by  S.  Salisbury,  jr.).     Worcester,  1879. 
Zayas  Enriquez,  Rafael  de.     Los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos,  sus  condiciones  de  paz, 

etc.     Mexico,  1893. 

Los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos,  sus  progresos  en  veinteanos,  1877-1897.     New 

York.     (No  date;  about  1899. ) 

Les  Etats  Unis  Mexicains — leurs  ressources  naturelles,  leur  progres,  leur  situa- 
tion actuelle.     Mexico,  1899. 


ETHNOLOGY  AND  ARCHEOLOGY. 

LIST  OF  AUTHORITIES  SINCE  1876. 
Prepared  by  Prof.  O.  T.  Mason,  U.  S.  National  Museum. 

Anales  del  Museo  Michoacano,  Morelia,  1888-1890.     Redactor,  N.  Leon. 

Anales  del  Museo  Nacional  de  Mexico.     Mexico,  1877-1897. 

Antigiiedades    Mexicanas.     Mexico,   1892,    La  Junta  Colombiana  de  Mexico  (por 

Alfredo  Chavero).     Text  and  plates  in  folio. 
Bancroft,  H.  H.     The  Native  Races  of  the  Pacific  States.     New  York,  1874-1876. 

5 vols.     (Vol.  I,  1874;  Vol.  II,  1875;  Vol.  Ill,  1875;  Vol.  IV,  1875;  Vol.  V,  1876.) 
Bandelier,  A.  F.     The  art  of  war  of  the  ancient  Mexicans.     10th  An.  Rep.  Peabody 

Museum,  Cambridge,  1877,  pp.  95-161. 

Distribution  and  tenureof  lands,  etc.,  among  the  ancient  Americans.     11th  An. 

Rep.  Peabody  Museum,  Cambridge,  1878,  pp.  385-448. 

On  the  social  organization  and  mode  of  government  of  the  ancient  Mexicans. 

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CARTOGRAPHY.  427 

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CARTOGRAPHY. « 

LIST  OF  MAPS  OF  MEXICO  FROM  1858  TO  1898. 
By  P.  Lee  Phillips,  Chief  of  Maps  and  Charts  Division,  Library  of  Congress. 

Tricoechea  (Ezequiel).     Mapoteca  Colombiana.     Coleccion  de  los  titulos  de  todos 

los  mapas,  pianos,  vistas,  etc.,  relativos  a  la  America  Espaiiola,  Brasil  6  islas 

adyacentes.     xvi,  215  pp.     12°.     Londres,  Triibner  &  Cia.,  1860. 

Note.— Pages  35-53  contain  a  list  of  maps  of  Mexico  to  1860. 

L.  C. 

Orozco  y  Berra  (Manuel).  Materiales  para  una  cartograffa mexicana.  Edition  de  la 
Sociedad  de  Geografia  y  Estadfstica.  xii,  337  pp.  1  1.  8°.  Mexico,  Imprenta 
del  gobierno,  1871.  L.  C. 

«  The  initials  L.  C.  stand  for  Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 


4118  MEXICO. 

L86& 

\tln-  geogr&fico,  estadfstico e"  historicode  la  Republics  Mexicans,  formado  por  Anto- 
oio  Garcia  Cabas.  Sp.l.  31  maps.  2pl.  4,18pp.  11.  toL  Mexico,  J.  M. 
Fernandez  de  Lara,  I sss- 

IJM  iij  amps. 

carta   i.  Carta  general  TCducida. 

1.  Sonora. 

3.  Chihuahua. 

4.  Coahtrila. 

5.  Nuevo  Le6n. 

6.  Tumaulipas. 

7.  San  Luis  Potosi. 

8.  Zacatecas. 

9.  AguascaMentes, 

10.  Durangn. 

1 1.  Sinaloa. 

12.  Jalisco. 

13.  Guanajuato. 
11.  Michoacan. 

16.  Queretaro. 
lti.  Mexico. 

17.  Valle  de  MeXioo. 
is.  Puebla. 

19.  Veracruz. 

20.  Guerrero. 

21.  Oaxaca. 

22.  Chiapas. 

23.  Tabasco. 

24.  Yucatan. 

25.  Baja  California. 

26.  Sierra  Gorda. 

27.  Colima. 

28.  Tlaxcala. 

29.  Tehuantepec. 

30.  Territorios  de  Sierragorda  e  isla  del  Carmen. 

31.  Carta  general  de  la  Republics  Mexieana. 

Cuadro  1.  Cuadro  histtirico-gcroglifico  de  la  penegrinaeion  de  las  tribus  Aztecas. 

2.  Cuadro  liistorico-geroglifico  de  la  peregrinacii'in  de  las  tribua  Aztecas  que  publaron 

el  valle  de  Mexico. 

L.  C. 
1858. 

II.  Kiepert's  karte  des  nordlichen  tropischen  America.  A  new  map  of  tropical 
America  north  of  the  equator,  comprising  the  West  Indies,  Central  America, 
Mexico,  New  Granada,  and  Venezuela,  col.  38  x  63,  fold.  obi.  4°.  Berlin, 
D.  Reimer,  1858.  L.  C. 

1859. 

Map  of  the  United  States  and  Mexico.  Published  by  Johnson  &  Browning  under 
the  direction  of  Col.  Carlos  Butterfield.  Dec.,  1859.  col.  fold.  30x36.  [New 
York,  1859.]  L.  C. 

1861. 

Carta  general  de  la  Repiiblica  Mexieana.  lOJx  lt>.  [In  Garcia  Cuban  (Antonio). 
<  ompendio  de  geograf fa.     16°.     Mexico,  1861.]  L.  C. 

1861. 

Memoria  para  servir  a  la  carta  general  de  la  Repiiblica  Mexieana  Publicada  por 
Antonio  Garcia  Cubas.  168  pp.  11.  1  fold.  map.  8°.  Mexico,  Andrade  <fe 
Escalante,  1861.  L.  C. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  429 

1861. 

Colton  (J.  H.)  Colton's  map  of  the  United  States,  Mexico,  the  West  Indies,  &c, 
1861.     col.     30x37,  fold.     18°.     [New  York,  J.  H.  Colton^  co.,  1861.]     L.  C. 

1862. 

Carte  du  Mexique  representant  le  plateau  de  l'Anahuac  et  son  versant  oriental  par 
Hi.  de  Saussure,  1862.     22  x  21. 

[In  Soci6t6  de  geographie  de  Geneve.    M6moires.    8°.    Geneve,  1862.    v.  3,  p.  60.] 

L.  C. 
1862. 

Carte  du  Mexique,  1 :  5800000,  par  J.  Barthelemi.     Paris,  1862,  tres  gr.  in-folio,  coloriee. 

1862. 
Carte  du  Mexique,  1:4900000,  par  L.  Sagansan.     1862,  tres  gr.  in-folio,  coloriee. 

1862. 

Carta  hidrografica  del  valle  de  Mexico.  Levantada  de  orden  del  Ministerio  de 
Fomento  por  los  ingenieros  Miguel  Iglesias,  Ramon  Almaraz,  Mariano  Santa- 
Maria  y  Jose  Antonio  de  la  Pena,  bajola  direccion  d el Ingeniero  Geografo Francisco 
Dfaz  Covarrubias,  antiguos  alumnos  del  Colegio  Nacional  de  Mineria.  1862. 
42£  x  26.     Mexico,  H.  Salazar,  1863.  L.  C. 

1862. 

Der  mexicanische  staat  Puebla.  Vollstiindige  Reduction  der  Original-Aufnahme  vom 
Baron  Ferdinand  von  Heldtrich  (Omcierfriiher  ink.  preuss.  dann  in  mexican. 
d.)  publiciert  in  4  bl.  (Massstab  1:232,500)  unt.  d.  titel:  Carta  del  departamento 
de  Puebla  levantado  de  orden  del  Gobierno  Supremo  de  la  Republica  Mexicana 
por  R.  Almazan  1855.  Imprenta  litografica  de  A.  Dastillero,  Puebla.  Redigirt 
v.  H.  Kiepert.     Massstab  der  reduction  1: 500,000.     23£  x  23$. 

[In  Gesellschaft  fur  Erdkunde  zu  Berlin.    Zeitschrift.     Neue  folge.    8°.    Berlin,  D.  Reimer. 
1862.     v.  13.     pi.  5.] 

L.  C. 
1862. 

Karte  der  3  Staaten  M.,  Puebla  und  Vera  Cruz.  ([Style  on  cover]  Karte  des 
Driegsschauplatzes  zwischen  Veracruz  und  Mexico)  mit  dem  Stadtplan  von  M. 
E.  Jager:  Stuttgart,  1862. 

The  plan  of  the  City  of  Mexico  is  printed  on  the  back  of  the  map. 

British  Museum. 
1862. 

Map  of  Mexico  constructed  from  all  available  materials  and  corrected  to  1862.  By 
H.  Kiepert. — H.  Kiepert's  karte  von  Mexico,  iiberdruck  aus  desselben  karte  des 
nordlichen  tropischen  America  in  6  bl.  1856  mit  neuen  berichtigungen  1862. 
22x27.     fold.     8°.     Berlin,  D.  Reimer,  1862. 

L.  C. 
1862. 

Nouvelle  Carte  du  Mexique,  donnant  le  Port  de  la  Vera-Cruz,  les  environs  de  M.,  la 
partie  Sud-Est  des  Etats-Unis,  la  mer  des  Antilles  et  l'Ame>ique  Centrale. 
Dressee  par  A.  Vuillemin  .  .  .  (Details  des  Environs  de  M.  et  de  la  Vera-Cruz. 
La  Guadeloupe.     La  Martinique. )     J.  Barthelemier:  Paris,  1862. 

British  Museum. 


430  KEXICO. 

1862. 

Plan  do  Mexico  et  de  ses  environs  dans  nn  rayon  de  liuit  kilometres,  draw  die/. 
Erhard.  16Jxll.  [In  X ouvel leg  annates  dee  voyages.  6me  ee>ie.  8°.  Paris, 
1863,  v.  33,  p.  5.] 

Note.— Inset:  "  Ks<|tiissi-  <1.-  Pitineraire  de  la  Vera-Cru*  a  Mexico  d'apres  II.  Kiepert." 

L.  C. 
L862. 

Umgebung  von  Mexico  bis  Veracruz nach  den  von  A.  v.  Humboldt,  v.  Gerolt,  Heller, 
Smith  and  tier  Bociedad  Mejicana  de  Geograffa  y  Eatadfstica  veroffentlichten 
Karten  and  <ler  Anfnahme  des  Staates  Pneblavon  Almazan  and  F.  v.  Heldreich, 
zusammengestellt  v.  H.  Kiepert.     6|  x  9J. 

[In  Gesellschaft  fiir  Krdkiinde  zu  Berlin.    Zeitschrift.    Neue  folge.    8°.    Berlin.D.  Keiiner, 
1862.    v.  12.    pi.  6.] 

L.  C. 

1863. 

Carta  general  de  la  Repiiblica  Mexieana,  formaila  par  Antonio  Garcia  Cubas.  1863. 
47x56.     Mexico,  H.  Iriarte  &  Ca.,  1863.  L.  C. 

1863. 

Carte  de  la  Sonora,  avec  l'indication  de  ses  mines  d'apres  la  carte  de  A.  Garcia  Cubas 
et  les  cartes  am6ricaines  par  V.-A.  Malte-Brun.     !H  x8. 

[In  Nouvelles  annales  des  voyages.    186.    6m<- serie.    8°.    Paris,  A.  Bertrand,  [1865],  p.  256.] 
Note.— Same  map  found  in  177-187.    6">«  serie.    33-34.    1863. 

L.  C. 

1863. 

Carte  de  la  Sonora,  avec  l'indication  de  ses  mines  d'apres  la  carte  de  A.  Garcia  (  ul>as 

et  les  cartes  americaines  par  V.-A.  Malte-Brun.     Grave"  chez  Erhard.     9X  x  7,. 

[In  Nouvelles  annales  des  voyages.    6°>«  s£rie.    8°.    Paris,  1863,  v.  84,  p.  129.  J 


I..  ('. 


1st;:;-.' 


Mexico  und  die  RepuMiken  von  Central-America.  Bearbeitet  von  C.  Graf.  (Tehu- 
antepec  Eisenbahn-Project.  Bearbeitel  von  Barnard,  1851.  Honduras.  Eisen- 
Kalm-Project.  Bearbeitet  von  E.  G.  Sqoier  u.  W.  N.  Jeffers,  L853.  I  Weimar, 
[1863?]  British  Museum. 

1863. 

Plan  de  Mexico  et  des  environs  dans  on  rayon  de  huit  kilometres.  [Also]  Esquisse 
de  l'itine>aire  de  la  Vera-Cruz  a  Mexico  d'apres  II    Kiepert.     16',  x  11. 

[In  Nouvelles  annales  des  voyages.    177-178.    6™  stfrie.   33-34.   8°.    Paris,  A.  Bertrand,  1863.] 
Note. — This  map  also  found  in  "  Revue  maritime  eolouiale,"  1863,  v.  7,  p.  692. 

L.  C. 
1864. 

Essai  d'une  carte  ethnographique  du  Mexique  d'apres  les  travaux  de  C'lavigero,  de 
Humboldt,  de  Beltrami,  de  Stephens,  de  Duflot  de  Mofras  et  de  Brasseur  de 
Bourbourg,  par  V.-A.  Malte-Brun,  1864.  Echelles  au  1:7000000.  Grave  chez 
Erhard.     13  x  18|. 

[In  Nouvelles  annales  des  voyages.    6""  serie.    8°.    Paris,  1864,  v.  39,  p.  5.] 
Note.— Inset:  "  Vallee  de  Mexico." 

L.  C. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  431 

1864. 

Geological  map  and  profiles  of  some  of  the  principal  mining  districts  of  Mexico. 
Scale  of  12  miles  to  1  inch  or  1  :  760320.     2  maps,  each  28  x  28. 

[In  Egloffstein  (F.  W.)  Contributions  to  the  geology  and  the  physical  geography  of 
Mexico.    8°.    New  York,  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  1864,  at  end.] 

Note. — "Egloffstein  is  only  the  editor.  The  true  author  of  the  geological  map,  profiles, 
and  descriptions  is  Baron  Frederick  von  Gerolt,  formerly  Prussian  minister  at  Mexico  and 
afterwards  at  Washington." 

1865. 

Carta  general  del  Imperio  Mexicano.  Formada  y  corregida  con  presenciade  los  ulti- 
mos  datos  y  el  auxilio  de  las  autoridades  mas  competentes.  Decaen  y  Dehray, 
editores.     Col.  fold.,  31  x  45.     Mexico,  Decaen  &  Debray,  1865.  L.  C. 

1865. 

Itineraire  de  Mexico  a  Durango,  dessine  par  E.  Picard  d'apres  les  croquisde  route  de 
l'abbe  Domenech.     1865.     12  x  17. 

[In  Societe  de  geographie.    Bulletin.    5<*  serie.    8°.    Paris,  1866,  v.  12,  p.  272.] 

L.  C. 

1865. 

Schonberg's  map  of  Mexico.     Fold.  14  x  23.     [New  York,  Schonberg  &  Co.,  1865.] 

L.  C. 
1867. 

Johnson's  Mexico.     Col.  11 J  x  17.     New  York,  A.  J.  Johnson,  [1867].  L.  C. 

1867. 

Nouvelle  carte  du  Mexique,  du  Texas  et  d'une  partie  des  Etats  limitrophes  .  .  . 
par  H.  Brue  .  .  .  Revue  etaugmentee  par  A.  Vuillemin.  ( Details  des  environs 
de  Mexico  et  de  la  Yera-Cruz.  Complement  de  la  carte,  donnant  le  Yucatan  et 
une  partie  des  provinces  unies  de  l'Amerique  Centrale. )     Paris,  1867. 

British  Museum. 
1867. 

Piano  de  la  Ciudad  de  Mexico.  Levantado  de  orden  del  Ministerio  de  Fomento  por 
sus  ingenieros.     1867.     28  x  39£.     Mexico,  E.  M.  Sagredo,  [1867].  L.  C. 

1867. 

Traveling  and  military  map  of  Sonora.  From  private  field  notes  by  Cummings  & 
James  Cherry.     27  x  30.     [Pittsburg,  Cummings  &  J.  Cherry,  1867.]        L.  C. 

1868. 

Map  of  Lower  California.  From  special  surveys  of  coast  and  interior,  made  for  the 
Lower  California  Company  in  1866-67.  By  the  company's  engineers,  under  direc- 
tion of  J.  Ross  Browne.  Drawn  by  Joseph  Goldsheider,  civil  engineer  and 
topographer,  January,  1868.  17|  x  14|.  [New  York,  N.  Y.  Lith.  and  Printing 
Co.],  1868.  L.  C. 

1868. 

Originalkarte  der  californischen  Halbinsel  nach  den  Aufnahmen  der  fur  die  Lower 
California  Company  ausgefuhrten  Expedition  unter  J.  Ross  Browne,  AY.  M.  Gabb 
und  F.  Loehs  [etc.].     13  x  9.     Gotha,  J.  Perthes,  1868. 

[In  Petermann  (A.)    Mittheilungen.    4°.    Gotha,  J.  Perthes,  1868,  pi.  14,  p.  272.] 

L.  C, 


482  MEXICO. 

|*8& 

Piano  corogratico  de  una  parte  del  Estado  de  Campeche,  que  oomprende  todo  el 
niargen  derecho  del  rfo  Usuinaeinta  hasta  sus  confines,  en  el  que  eshi  incluso  el 
partido  del  Carmen.  Formado  por  el  agrimensor  geometra  V.  R.  Shiels,  1868. 
25  x  21. 

[in  Booledad  de  GeogxaBa  y  Batadiatica  de  la  Republics  Mexicana.    Boletln.    Begunda 
epoca.    4°.    Mexico,  .T.  M.  Sandoval,  isto,  v.  2,  at  end.] 


L  C. 


1X89. 


Carta  general  de  la  Repdblica  Mexicana.     15  z  20. 

[In  Garcia Cubas  (Antonio).    Cuno elemental  degeografia universal.    8°.    Mexico,  1869.] 

L.  C. 

1869. 

Carta  general  de  la  Repiiblica  Mexicana.     19J  x  26J< 

[In  Mexico  v  mis  alrededores.    Fol.    Mexico,  V.  Debray,  1869.1 

L.  C. 

1869. 

Piano  general  de  la  Ciudad  de  Mexico.  1869.  Escalas  de  1,000  va'ras  castellanas. 
24  x  32. 

[In  Mexico  y  sus  alrededores.    Nueva  edld6n  aunientada.    Fol.    Mexico,  V.  Debray,  1869.] 

L.  C. 
1870. 

Carta  general  de  la  Repiiblica  Mexicana.  Formada  y  corregida  en  vista  de  Ins  dlthnoa 
datos.     Kscala  de  leguas  mexicanas  de  2(>  y  \  al  grado.     20  x  26J. 

[In  Mexico  y  sns  alrededores.     Nueva  edition  aumentada.     Fol.     Mexico,  V.  Debay,  I860.] 

L.  C. 

1871. 

Carte  du  chemin  de  fer  interoceaniqne  de  Mexico  (la  grande  ligne  naturelle  entre 

1' Europe  et  l'Asie)  et  du  cbemin  de  fer  Lnterameriqae  I  la  grande  ligne  naturelle 
entre  l'Amerique  du  Nord  et  l'Amerique  du  Sud).  Leon,  auteur,  constructeur et 
proprietaire.     22  x  28*.     [New  York,  G.  W.  &  C.  B.  Colton  &  Co.,  1871.] 

L.  C. 
1873. 

Carte  du  Mexiijue.  Dressee  an  Depot  de  la  guerre,  par  Mr.  Niox.  capitaine  d'etat- 
major.    D'apree  les  leves  dee  otiiciers  du  corps  expeditionnaire  et  lea  renseigne- 

inents  recueillis  par  le  Bureau  topographique.     Ecbelle=l :  3000000.     Paris,  1873. 

Published   by  authority  of  the  honorable  Secretary  of  War  in  the  office  of  the  Chief  of 
Engineers,  U.  S.  Army.    27J  by  41  J.    [Washington] ,  1881. 

1873. 

Carta  geografica  y  administrativa  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanas,  formada  con 
presencia  de  los  datos  m<is  exactos  y  recientes,  por  el  ingeniero  Antonio  Garcia 
Cubas  .  .  .  1873.     1:2000000. 

1873-1874. 

Carte  du  Mexique.  Dress6e  au  Depot  de  la  guerre.  Par  Mr.  Niox,  d'apres  les  leves 
des  officiers  du  corps  expeditionnaire  et  les  renseignements  recueillis  par  le 
Bureau  topograpbique.  2  sheets  fold.  28  by  41.  Paris,  ve.  Ethiou-Perou, 
187o.  [And]  Notice  sur  la  cartedu  Mexique.  Extrait  du  Bulletin  de  la  Societe*  de 
geographic     Anon.     22  pp.     8°.     Paris,  J.  Dumaine,  1874.  L.  C. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  433 

1873-1875. 

C.  Dewey's  Aufnahme  der  Californischen  Halbinsel  under  der  mexikanischen  Kiisten. 
1873-74.     Von  A.  Petermann.     21  by  7-1.     Gotha,  J.  Perthes,  1875. 

[In  Petermann  (A.)     Mittheilungen.    4°.    Gotha,  J.  Perthes,  1875.    v.  21,  pi.  9.] 

L.  C. 
1874. 

Atlas  metodieo  para  laensenanza  de  la  geografia  de  la  Republica  Mexieana  .  .  . 
A.  Garcia  Cubas.     Mexico,  1874.  L.  C. 

1874. 

Case's  map  of  the  United  States,  British  Provinces,  Mexico,  and  part  of  the  West 
Indies.     Col.     60  by  70.     Hartford,  O.  D.  Case  &  Co.,  1874.  L.  C. 

1S74. 

Cram's  railroad  and  county  map  of  the  United  States,  Canada,  and  Mexico.  38  by 
54.     Chicago,  G.  F.  Cram,  1874. 

Note.— On  the  reverse  side  is  an  historical  map  of  the  world. 

L.  C. 
1874. 

The  granger's  mt.p  of  the  United  States,  British  Provinces,  West  Indies,  Mexico,  and 
Central  America.  [By  Gaylord  Watson,  anon.]  38  by  50.  Chicago,  Watson's 
Chicago  branch,  1874.  L.  C. 

1876. 

Map  of  the  three  great  tropical  American  railways,  viz:  1st.  The  Yucatan  Central. 
2d.  The  Yucatan  Pacific.  3d.  The  Great  Central  and  Southern  American.  Leon 
and  Harriet  Lewis,  projectors,  builders,  and  proprietors. 

[Prr   aredbyG.W.  &  C.  B.Colton&Co.    22x28.    [New  York,  G.  W.  &C.  B.  Colton&Co..  1S7C.] 

L.    C. 
1876. 

William's  [G.  W.]  copperplate  map  of  the  United  States,  Canada,  Mexico,  Central 
America,  West  Indies,  etc.     63x63.     Philadelphia,  J.  M.  Atwood,  [1876]. 

L.  C. 
1877. 

Carta  administrativa-itineraria  de  la  Republica  Mexieana.  Secretaria  de  Estado  y 
del  Despacho  de  Fomento.  Comision  de  cartografia,  bajo  la  direction  del  ing. 
A.Diaz.  No.  1.  Expendio,  en  el  archivo  de  cartas.  Constr-y-dib,-C.  Alvarez  y 
R.  Tangassilit-Salazar.     Ia  edition,  1877.     17i  x  23|.     [Mexico],  1877. 

L.  C. 
1877. 

Republica  Mexieana.  Piano  del  Istmo  de  Tehuantepec.  1:250000.  Government  of 
Mexico,  1877.  U.  S.  War  Dept.  lib. 

1878. 

Karte  der  Halbinsel  Yucatan,  hauptsiichlich  nach  der  von  Joachin  Hiibbe  und  Andres 
Aznar  Perez  zusammengestellten  und  von  C.  Hermann  Berendt  revidirten  und 
vermehrten  Mapa  de  la  peninsula  de  Yucatan,  von  1878.  13  x  17L  Maassstab 
1:1600000. 

[In  Petermann's  Mittheilungen.    1879.    4°.    Gotha,  J.  Perthes,  [1879].    v.  25,  pi.  11  at  end.] 

L.  C. 

509a— 04 28 


434  MEXICO. 

1879. 

New  map  of  Mexico,  engraved  expressly  for  "Lester's  Mexican  Republic."  L879. 
Prepared  by  <  r.  W.  &  C.  B.  Colton  <x  Co.,  [1879].  L.  C. 

L879. 

Voyage  en  Sonora  (Mexiqne)  par  A.  Pinart,  1879.      fSchelle  de  1:4000000.     4}  x  5J. 
[rn  Soeiete  do  geographic    Bulletin.    G*  serie.    8°.    Paris,  1880.    v.  20,  at  end.] 

1880. 

Mexico  and  Central  America.     By  W.  Hughes.     (Enlarged  Plan  of  the  Isthmus  of 

Panama.)     London  and  Liverpool,  G.  Philip  &  Son,  [1880?]. 

British  Museum. 
1881. 

Cram's  new  indexed  county  and  railroad  map  of  the  United  States,  Canada,  and 
Mexico.  Compiled  from  official  records  of  the  Land  Department,  of  Washington, 
D.  C.  Drawn  and  engraved  l>y  G.  F.  Cram.  49  x  80.  Chicago,  G.  F.  (rain, 
1881.  L.  C. 

1881. 

Map  of  Mexico, Central  America,  and  Isthmus  of  Panama,  showing  railroads,  proposed 
railroads,  etc.     37J  x  56|.     New  York,  G.  "Watson,  L881.  L.  C. 

1881. 

Map  of  the  Mexican  National  Railway,  showing  the  lines  granted  by  the  Mexican 
Government  to  the  Mexican  National  (  kmstraction  Company,  i  Palmer-Sullivan 
concession.)  From  the  map  of  Captain  Nioux  [Niox],  published  in  the  office  of 
the  Chief  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.  1881.  Scale,  1:3000000.  27f  x  41  J.  Wash- 
ington, 1881. 

Note. — Inset:  "  Map  showing  the  political  ilivisions." 

L.  C. 

1881. 

Nuevo  mapa  de  los  Estados  de  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  Binaloa,  Durango  y  territorios  de 
la  Baja  California.  Formada  por  G.  de  Fleury.  24x34.  San  Francisco,  pub- 
lished by  A.  Gensoul,  revised  by  W.  Bolt,  1881.  L.  C. 

1881-1882. 

Official  map  of  southern  Arizona  and  of  the  States  of  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  Sinaloa, 
Durango.  Prepared  especially  for  the  mining  record.  Compiled  from  surveys, 
reconnoissances,  and  other  sources,  by  Guillermo  Rose.  1882.  26x34.  New 
York,  J.  Bien,  photo.,  [1881].  L.  C. 

1882. 

"Commercial  Herald."  The  southwestern  railroad  system.  United  States  and 
Mexico.  Supplement  to  the  "Commercial  Herald"  and  "Market  Review." 
Jan.,  1882.     22  x  34.     San  Francisco,  H.  S.  Crocker  &  Co.,  [1882].  L.  C. 

1882. 

Karteder  Yereinigten  Staaten  von  Nord-Amerikanebst  Mexico  .  .  .  Entworfen  von 
Dr.  J.  M.  Ziegler.     Gezeichnet  von  T.  von  Bomsdorff.     1882. 

British  Museum. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  435 

1882. 

Map  of  Sinaloa,  with  statistical  and  geological  notes.  By  Frederick  G.  Weidner. 
1  pi.  19  pp.  1  map,  35£  x  29,  fold.  8°.  San  Francisco,  Francis  Valentine  & 
Co.,  [1882].  L.  C. 

1882. 

Map  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico.     Revised  and  corrected  by  Lorenzo  Castro,  drawn 
by  Theodore  Gentilz.     30  x  44.     New  York,  Thompson  &  Moreau,  [1882]. 
[In  Castro  (Lorenzo).    The  Republic  of  Mexico  in  1882.    12°.    New  York,  1882.] 

L.  C. 

1882. 

Nuevo  mapa  estadistico  y  ferrocarillero  de  Mexico  y  la  frontera  del  norte. — New 
statistical  and  railroad  map  of  Mexico  and  the  northern  frontier.  Showing  the 
products  of  the  different  zones  [etc.],  by  A.  K.  Owen  and  Albert  von  Motz. 
1882.     col.     44  x  60.     Philadelphia,  J.  L.  Smith,  1882.  L.  C. 

1883. 

Dahlgren  (Charles  Bunker).  Historic  mines  of  Mexico.  1  p.  1.,  220  pp.  2  portraits. 
20  maps.     8?.     New  York,  for  the  author,  1883. 

List  of  maps. 

Hypsometric  map  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico. 

Production  map. 

Map  of  Central  Mexico  (Guanajuato,  Zacatecas,  and  San  Luis  Potosi). 

Map  of  Guanajuato  and  Veta  Madre. 

Section  of  Valenciana. 

Map  of  Veta  Grande  (Zacatecas),  Deseubridora,  and  Quebradilla. 

Map  of  Pinos. 

Map  of  Fresnillo. 

Map  of  Sombrerete. 

Map  of  Catorce. 

Map  of  Northwestern  Mexico  (Sonora,  Sinaloa,  Chihuahua,  Durango). 

Map  of  Guadalupe  de  los  Reyes. 

Map  of  Rosario. 

Map  of  Batopilas. 

Map  of  Parral. 

Map  of  Cusihuiriachic. 

Map  of  San  Dimas. 

Map  of  Southern  Mexico. 

Map  of  Tlalpujahua. 

Map  of  Pachuca  and  Real  del  Monte. 

1883. 

El  Corazon  del  Anahuac  y  sus  ferrocarriles.  1:250000.  1883.  Published  by  the 
Major  &  Knapp  Eng.  and  Mfg.  and  Lith.  Co.,  N.  Y.  U.  S.  War  Dept.  lib. 

1883. 

Map  of  the  Texas,  Topolobampo  and  Pacific  R.  R.  and  Tel.  Co.,  from  Chihuahua 
and  Parral  to  Topolobampo  Harbor.  1 :5280  (about  12  miles  to  the  inch ) .  Albert 
von  Motz.     Published  by  T.  T.  &  P.  R.  R.  Tel.  Co.,  1883. 

U.  S.  War  Dept.  lib. 

1883. 

Steamship  line  and  railroad  map  of  the  Merchants'  and  Tourists'  Guide  to  Mexico. 
13  x  19.     Chicago,  C.  W.  Laremba,  1883.  L.  C. 


436  HEXIOO. 

Watson's  ouevo  mapa  de  Mexico  y  la  frontera  del  Norte,  America  (Vntral,  Isttno  de 
I'anam.i.  Cuba,  Jamaica,  and  Bahama  [elands,  38  x  55.  Nueva  York,  G.  Wat- 
son. 1883.  L.  C. 

1883-1 ss4. 

Memoria  presentada  al  Congreso  de  la  Union  i»>r  el  Secretario  de  Estado  y  del  Des- 
pacho  'If  Foment o.  Colonization,  [nduatria  yComerciodela  Repdbliea  ISexicana, 
General  Carlos  Pacheco.  Corresponded  !os  anos  traseurridos  de  enero  de  1883 
:i  1885.     v.  »;.     Atlas.     2  p.  1.     48  maps.     Fol.     Mexico,  Oficina  tipografica  de 


la  Becretarfa  de  fomento,  1887. 


Conk  "'•-'. 


Carta  general  telegraflea  de  Ins  Estadoe  Dnidoe  Mexicano?,  comprendiendo  lo  construido  y  en 

explotatita  en  las  dlversas  tineas  hasta  jnnio  de  1885. 
Sheet   1.  Diagrama  que  manifiesta  el  estado  de  las  hojas  de  publicaci6n  a  la  100,000  en  jnrtio 
30  de  ls&x    Regi6n  del  norte. 

2.  Cm!  operacionea  topograflcas  ejecutadaa  hasta  junio  30 de  1886.    Regi6n 

del  norte.    (Fraction  superior 

3.  Canevasde  las  operacionea  topogr&flcaa  ejecutadaa  hasta  junio  30  de  1885.    Regi6n 

del  norte.     (Fraeci6n  inferior.) 

4.  Diagrama  que  manifiesta  el  estado  de  las  hojas  de  publication  *  la  100,000*  en  junio 

30  de  18*5.    Region  central  y  de  oriente. 

5.  Canev&s  de  las  operaciones  topograflcas  ejecutadas  hasta  junio  30  de  1885.    Region 

central  y  de  oriente.     (Fraeeion  superior.  | 

6.  Canevas  de  las  operacionea  topogM&flcas  ejecutadaa  hasta  junio  30  de  1886.    Region 

central  yde  oriente.    I  Fraction  inferior.)   CartageneraldelaRepublicaMexicana. 

7.  Territorio  de  la  Baja  California.    Carta  de  la  1»  fracci6n  de  la  zona. 

8.  Territorio  de  la  Baja  California.    Carta  de  la  pardon  la  1\  2»  fraeci6n  de  la  zona. 

9.  Territorio  de  la  Baja  California.     Carta  de  la  portion  2*  de  1*,  '>  fraeeion  de  la  zona. 

10.  Territorio  de  la  Baja  California.    Carta  de  la  portion  1«  de  la  S»  fraction  de  la  zona. 

11.  Territorio  de  la  Baja  California.     Carta  i\<-  la  portion  -*  de  la  >  fraeci6n  de  la  zona. 

12.  Piano  de  la  triangulacion  practicada  entre  Campo  Astronomico  y  Cabo  Haro,  en  el 

puerto  de  Qnaymas. 

13.  Piano  del  puerto  de  Guaymas,  con  on  proyecto  pan  el  mejoramiento  de  sus  condi- 

tionee  sanitaria-, 
li.  Mapa  del  canton  Meoqnl    Estado  de  Chihnahna. 
IB.  Mapa  del  canton  Kallcza.    Estado  de  chihuahua. 

16.  Mapa  del  cant6n  Jimenez.     Estado  de  Chihuahua. 

17.  Mapa  del  cantdn  Camargo.    Estado  de  Chihuahua. 

18.  Puente  para  el  rio  Atoyac.    Directi6n  del  eamino  de  TehuaeAn  a  Puerto  Angel  por 

Oaxaea.     Piano  mini.  1. 

19.  Ferrocarril    Hidalgo.     Proyecto  para  el  ensanche  de  la  estaden  de   Pachuca  y 

allneamiento  del  eamino  que  conduce  :i  Mexico. 

20.  Ferrocarril  de  Merida  a  Calkini.     Proyecto  de  cstaci6n  en  1'man. 

21.  Ferrocarril  de  Puebla  a  Izt'icar  de  Matamoros.    Becci6n  !■  de  Puebla  :i  Cholnla. 

Proyecto  del  Puente  de  la  Dni6n  aobre  el  rio  Atoyac. 

22.  Ferrocarril  de  Puebla  6  [zdcar  de  Matamoros.    Becci6n  2»  de  Cholnla  a  Athzco. 

tramo.    Puente  de  Teyecatl. 

23.  Ferrocarril  de  Puebla  a  Iziiear  de  Matamoros.     >  Becti6n  de  cholnla  A  Atllxco. 

Puente  de  Tejaluca  en  el  kil6metro  IS. 

24.  Piano  topografico  del  rio  Chubiacai  en  una  zona  de  2  kilc'iinctros  .i  cada  lado  de  la 

linea  del  puente  del  Ferrocarril  central  mezicano. 
j.ri.  Ferrocarril  central  mexicano.    Piano  de  ansae  las  trabasdel  puente  aobre  ei  rio 
Grande  del  Norte 

26.  Ferrocarril  central  mexicano.    Piano  de  la  fondation  estacada  y  de  loa apoyos  del 

puente  sobre  el  rio  Grande  del  Norte. 

27.  Piano  topograflco  del  rio  Conchos  en  una  zona  de  2  kil6metros  a  cada  lado  de  la 

linea  del  puente  del  Ferrocarril  central  mexicano. 

28.  Piano  general  del  puente  sohre  cl  rio  Conchos. 

29.  Puente  sobre  el  rio  Salto.     Ferrocarril  central.     Division  de  Ban  Luis  Potosi  a  Tam- 

pico. 

30.  Detalles  del  puente  sobre  el  rio  Salto.     Ferrocarril  central  mexicano. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  437 

Sheet  31.  Ferrocarril  central.     Division  de  San  Luis  Potosi  a  Tampieo.     Pilares  del  centro  y 
del  este  del  puente  sobre  el  rio  Salto,  en  Santa  Rosa. 

32.  Ferrocarril  central.    Divisi6n  de  San  Luis  Potosi  a  Tampieo.    Estribo  oeste  del 

puente  sobre  el  rio  Salto,  en  Santa  Rosa. 

33.  Ferrocarril  central.    Division  de  San  Luis  Potosi  a  Tampieo.    Piano  y  detalles  del 

puente  provisional,  sobre  tin  agujero  en  el  kilometro  118. 

34.  Ferrocarril  central.    Division  de  San  Luis  Potosi  a  Tampieo.    Piano  y  detalles  del 

puente  de  Palastro  proyectado  sobre  un  agujero  en  la  est.  4,715,  kil6metro  118. 

35.  Ferrocarril  central.    Mamposteria  y  cimientos  para  el  puente  sobre  el  rio  Tamasopo. 

36.  Ferrocarril  central  mexicano.    Division  de  Tampieo.    Puente  sobre  el  rio  Choy. 

37.  Ferrocarril  central  mexicano.    Linea  del   Pacifico.    Divisi6n  oriental.    Lineas  y 

reconocimientos  entre  Guadalajara  y  Lagos. 

38.  Ferrocarril  de  Puebla  a  San  Marcos  y  Villa  de  Libres.    Puente  en  la  barranca  de 

Xalcartl.    Terceraseccidn. 

39.  Rada  de  Salina  Cruz. 

40.  Proyecto  de  muelle  para  el  puerto  de  Salina  Cruz. 

41.  Canal  n.  del  Chijol.     Proyecto  de  trazo  final  para  someterio  a  la  aprobaci6n  del 

Supremo  Gobierno. 

42.  Faro  y  torre  para  el  puerto  de  Guaymas,  establecidos  por  la  Compafiia  del  ferrocarril 

de  Sonorn. 

43.  Piano  de  una  parte  del  Estado  de  Colima.     Proyecto  da  saneamiento  para  el  puerto 

de  Manzanillo. 

44.  Muelle  para  el  puerto  de  Manzanillo. 

45.  Muelle  para  el  puerto  de  Manzanillo. 

46.  Muelle  para  el  puerto  de  Manzanillo. 

47.  Proyecto  de  monumento  a  la  memoria  de  Sor.  Juana  In£s  de  la  Cruz. 

L.  C. 
1884. 

Carta  ferrocarrilera  de  Mexico,  con  los'datos  mas  recientes  acerca  de  unas  y  otras 
linear.  Expresamente  formada  por  ingenieros  de  la  Secretarfa  de  Fomento  del 
Gobierno  Federal  para  el  primer  almanaque  historico,  artistico  y  monumental  de 
la  Republica  Mexicana.  Publicado  por  Manuel  Caballero,  editor  de  "El  Noti- 
cioso,"  Mexico.  Scale:  1 :  3800000.  23|  x  35 h  New  York,  G.  W.  &  C.  B.  Colton 
&Co.,  [1884].  L.  C. 

1884. 

Carta  topografica  general  de  los  alrededores  de  Puebla,  formada  por  la  Comision 
geognifico-exploradora.  1:50000.  Published  by  Mexican  Government,  1884. 
3d  serie  6\     A.  P.  U.  S.  War  Dept.  lib. 

1884. 

Der  Staat  Sinaloa  in  Mexico.     Nach  eigenen  Aufnahmen  und  Rekognoscirungen  von 
Friedrich  G.  Weidner.     16$  x  13$.     Gotha,  J.  Perthes,  1884. 
[In  Petermann  (J.)     Mittheilungen.     4°.     Gotha,  1884.     v.  30,  pi.  1.] 

L.  C. 
1884. 

General  map  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  showing  railroads,  steamships,  and  telegraph 
communications.  1:2217600.  Published  by  Rand  &  McNally,  Chicago,  1884. 
Corrected  to  1884.     In  four  sheets.  U.  S.  War  Dept.  lib. 

1884. 

Carta  topografica  general  de  los  alrededores  de  Puebla.  Formada  por  la  Comision 
geognifico-exploradora.  Secretarfa  de  Estado  y  del  Despacho  de  Guerra  y 
Marina.  Comision  geogr&fica  de  fomento  y  guerra.  Bajo  la  direccion  del  ing. 
Al.  Diaz.  Levantamiento:  varios  individuos  de  la  comision.  Construccion:  cap. 
1°  E.  M. — Beltran.  Dibujo  y  escrituras:  Ing.  C.  T.  Alvarez.  Edition  de  1884. 
3*  serie.     Letra  A.  P.     19 J  x  25 J.     Escala  de  1 :  50000— Imm=50  metros.        L.  C. 


438  MEXICO. 

L884. 

Mapade  la  reel  telegr&fica  y  de  los  itinerarios  geneiales  de  la  Reptiblica  Mexicana. 
Formado  segrin  datoe  oficialee  por  F.  A.  Labadie.  _l',  x27J.  Ban  Francisco, 
Cal..  Gregoire,  Tansy  y  Ca.,  [1884]. 

Notx.— Another  copy,  traced  on  linen,  in  the  library. 

I.,  c. 

L884. 

Mexico,  Central  America,  and  the  West  Indies.     Drawn  and  engraved  expressly  for 
the  Encyclopaedia   Britannica,  American  reprint.     Scale,  95  miles — one  inch. 
19x27.     Philadelphia,  .!.  M.  Btoddart  Co.,  [1884]. 
Note.— Copyright  In  1884  by  Roger  Sherman. 

L  C. 
1884. 

Mexico.     Mapa  de  las  lfneas  del  ferrocarril  central  y  conecciones.     Eseala  del  mapa 
1:6000000.     14ix20i.     Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  Matthews,  Northnip  &  Co.,  L884. 
Note. — Copyrighted  by  the  Mexlcarj  Central  Railway  Co.,  Limited  1884. 


1SS4. 


Mexique.     Echelle,  1:5000000. 


[In  Vivien  de  si.  Martin  (Louis).    Atlas  universe!  de  geographic    Fbl.    Paris,  Eachette, 
1884.     Pt.  73.] 

L.  C. 

1884. 

Poole  Bros.     Railway  map  of  Mexico.     14]  s  20}.     [Chicago,  Poole  Bros..  1884.] 

L.  C. 

1884. 

Watson's  nuevo  mapa  de  Mexico  y  la  frontera  del  norte,  America  Central,  Istmo  de 
Panama,  Cuha,  Jamaica  y  islas  de  Bahama.  .'!7  x  54.  Nueva  York,  <1.  Watson, 
1884.  L.  C. 

1884-1889. 

International  (water)  Boundary  Commission.  United  States  and  Mexico.  Treaties 
of  1884  and  1889.  Brownsville  and  Matamoras  jetties,  report  of  Col.  Anson 
Mills,  3d  U.  S.  Cav.  Maps  by  engineers  of  commission  and  Capt.  M.  M.  Men- 
diola,  Mexican  engineer.     Washington.      1!»,  5  pi.,  5  sheets  of  maps. 

No.  1.  reference  map,  BhOWing  Rio  I  i  ramie  and  vicinity  of  Brownsville,  with  river  as  located 

by  the  commission  of  1888.  Scale,  1:5000.  No.  2,  Rio  Grande  sections  and  cross-sections  at 
Fortin  Paredes  and  Freeport  Bcale,  1:1000.  No.  8,  Rio  Grande,  jetties  and  cross-sections  in 
the  vicinity  of  Brownsville,  Texas  and  Matamoras.  Tamanlipas,  Dec.,  1894.  Bcale,  1:1000. 
No.  4,  Bends  of  the  Rio  Grande  at  Casa  Uatar  and  artillery  quarters.    Bcale,  1:1000.    No.  5, 

comparative  map  of  river  and  jetties  in  the  vicinity  of  Brownsville,  Fort  Brown]  and  Santa 
Crnz  Point,  showing  the  surveys  of  1853,  18C9,  187"..  1N77,  lssO-82,  1N1M.     Scale,  1:2000. 

I".  S.  War  Kept,  lib. 

1 885. 

Atlas  Mexicano,  por  Antonio  Garcfa  Cubas.  31  sheets  inch  Carta  general,  fbl. 
Mexico,  Debray,  suc's,  1885. 

Contents. 

Carta  1.  Sonora.    Eseala  1 :  2000000. 

2.  Chihuahua.    Eseala  1:2000000. 

3.  Coahuila.    Eseala  1 :  2000000. 

4.  Nuevo  Leon.    Eseala  1:1200000. 

5.  Tamaulipas.    Eseala  1:1500000. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  439 

Carta  6.  Veracruz.    Escala  1:1200000. 

7.  Tabasco.    Escala  1:1200000. 

8.  Campeche.    Escala  1 :  1200000. 

9.  Yucatan.    Escala  1:1200000. 

10.  Sinaloa.    Escala  1:1500000. 

11.  Jalisco.    Escala  1:1500000. 

12.  Colima.    Escala  1:500000. 

13.  Michoacan.    Escala  1:1000000. 

14.  Guerrero.    Escala  1:1000000. 

15.  Oaxaca.    Escala  1:100000. 

16.  Chiapas.    Escala  1:1200000. 

17.  Durango.    Escala  1:1200000. 

18.  Zacatecas.    Escala  1 :  1200000. 

19.  Aguascalientes.    Escala  1:300000. 

20.  San  Luis  Potosi.    Escala  1: 1325000. 

21.  Guanajuato.    Escala  1:600000. 

22.  Quer6taro.    Escala  1:480000. 

23.  Hidalgo.    Escala  1 :  6000000. 

24.  Mexico.    Escala  1:500000. 

25.  Morelos.    Escala  1 :  250000. 

26.  Puebla.    Escala  1:900000. 

27.  Tlaxcala.    Escala  1:230000. 

28.  Baja  California.    Escala  1:3000000. 

29.  Distrito  Federal.    Escala  1:245000. 

30.  Territorio  de  Tepic. 

1885. 

Map  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  authorized  for  publication  with  the  Mexican  guide,  by 
General  Carlos  Pacheco,  Minister  of  Public  Works.     1885.     17  x  24. 

[In  Janvier  (Thomas  A. )    The  Mexican  guide.    5th  ed.    16°.    New  York,  C.  Scribner's  Sons, 
1890,  at  end.] 

L.  C. 

1885. 

Map  of  the  United  States  and  Territories,  with  adjacent  parts  of  Canada  and  Mexico; 
also  part  of  the  West  Indies.  1 :  2534400.  ( 40  miles  to  the  inch. )  IT.  S.  General 
Land  Office.  U.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 

1885. 

Mapa  general  de  Mexico.     Ferrocarril  Central,  Mexico.     1885.     (Blue  print,  1  sheet. ) 

U.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 
1885. 

Official  map  of  the  State  of  Sonora.     1885.     By  Chas.  E.  Herbert.     23  x  27.     1  sheet 

fold.     18°.     [n.  p.,  1885.] 

Note. — On  cover,  date  1884.    Title  in  Spanish  and  English. 

L.  C. 

1886. 

Map  of  the  environs  of  the  City  of  Mexico.  Authorized  for  publication  with  the 
Mexican  Guide,  by  General  Carlos  Pacheco,  Minister  of  Public  Works.  1886. 
11£  x  18J. 

[In  Janvier  (Thomas  A.)    The  Mexican  Guide.    5th  ed.    16°.    New  York,  C.  Scribner's  sons, 
1890.    at  end.] 

L.  C. 
1886. 

Mexico.     16£  x  23. 

[In  Janvier  (Thomas  A.)     The  Mexican  Guide.    5th  ed.    16°.    New  York,  C.  Scribner's  sons, 
1890.     at  end.] 
Note. — Map  copyrighted  in  1886,  by  W.  M.  Bradley  &  bro. 


440  MEXICO. 

1886. 

Outline  map  of  field  operations  against  hostile  Chihuahua  Indians,  1:950,400  (15 
miles  to  the  inch  i.  By  Lieut.  E.  J.  Spencer,  < '.  of  IS.,  engr.  officer,  department 
of  Arizona.     1886.  V.  s.  War  Dept.  Lib. 

1887. 

(ana  telegr&fica  y  ferrocarrilera  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.  Direccion  general  de 
.-ta.hsti.ii.  Becretaria  de  fomento,  1887.     Escala  de  1:3000000.    27$  x  37}. 

I.,  c. 

lsss. 

Carta  general  de  la  Republica  .1.-  Mejico  y  de  los  Estados  Unidos  del  Norte,  con 
relaci.'ni  ;i  las  propiedades  de  laCompafifa  minera  de  fierro  mejicana.  Scale: 
1:3800000.     32j  x  44}.     New  York,  (i.  W.  &  C.  B.  Colton  &  co.  [1888]. 

L.  C. 

1889. 

Bancroft's  map  of  the  mineral  districts  of  northern  Lower  California.  Designed  by 
Fred  J.  Engelhardt,  March  1,  1889.  Compiled  from  official  authentic  maps  and 
sketches  [on  record]  from  special  investigation  in  person  and  assisted  by  the 
oldest  and  most  expert  Mexican  prospectors,  1888-1889.  16A  x  19.  San  Fran  - 
cisco,  The  Bancroft  company,  1889. 

L.  C. 
1889. 

Bosquejo  de  una  carta  geologica  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.  Formadapordisposici6u 
del  Secretario  de  Fomento,  Gral.  Carlos  Pacheco,  por  una  comisi6u  especia]  hajo 
la  direcci6n  del  profesor  Antonio  del  Castillo,  1889.  Escala  de  3,800,000°.  29  x 
41}.     Paris,  Erhard  hermanos,  [1889]. 

L.  C. 
1889. 

Cartes  commercials — Etats-Unis  du  Mexique  (1st  pt.,  north  Mexico;  2d  pt.,  south 
Mexico),  1:3000000.  F.  Bianconi,  Paris,  1889.  (Forms  7th  series,  nos.  4  and  5, 
of  geographical  memoirs  published  by  Chaix,  Paris).       V.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 

1888. 

Memoria  para  la  carta  general  geografica  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.  Anode  1889. 
27  pp.,  1  1.     8°.     Mexico,  Oficina  tip.  de  la  Secretarfa  de  Fomento,  1890. 

L.  C. 

1889. 

Mexico.      1 :  1435200.     (70  miles  to  inch. )     Bradley  &  co.,  Phil.,  1889. 

F.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 
L889. 

Piano  geologico  del  Heal  de  S.  Antonio  y  el  Triunfo  de  la  Baja  California:  Fonnado 
por  Antonio  del  Castillo,  ingeniero  de  minas.  Revisado  en  1889.  25£  x  21}. 
Mexico,  E.  M.  Moreau  y  ho.  [1889]. 

Note. — Ins.'t:  "  Estremidad  but  de  la  peninsula  de  la  Baja  California.     Bosquejo  geol6gico." 

L.  C. 
1889. 

United  states  with  adjacent  portions  of  Mexico.  1885.  Corrected  to  1889.  Scale, 
1:5000000.     4  sheets.  U.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  441 

1890. 

Carta  general  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.  Formada  en  el  Ministerio  de  Fomento  con 
los  datos  mds  recientes,  por  disposition  del  secretario  del  rarao,  General  Carlos 
Pacheco,  1890.  Escala  de  1:2000000.  44i  x  68.  Paris,  Erhard  hermanos, 
[1890].  L.  C. 

1890. 

Carta  de  los  ferrocarriles  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos.  Secretaria  de  Fomento, 
section  tercera.     Escala:  1:2000000.     44i  x  66.     Paris,  Erhard  hermanos,  1890. 

L.  C. 
[1890?] 

Carta  minera  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.  Formada  por  disposition  del  Secretario  de 
Fomento,  Gral.  Carlos  Castillo.  Escala  de  3,000,000.  29  x  41  J.  Paris,  Erhard 
hermanos,  [1890?] 

1891. 

Map  of  Mexico,  prepared  under  the  direction  of  Captain  Daniel  M.  Taylor,  Ord- 
nance Department,  and  1st  Lieutenant  George  P.  Scriven,  Signal  Corps,  in  the 
military  information  division,  Adjutant-General's  Office,  War  Department; 
William  N.  Peck,  chief  of  division,  by  Charles  H.  Ourand,  draughtsman. 
1891.     30|  x  40 h.  L.  C. 

1891. 

Rand,  McNally  &  co.'s  indexed  Atlas  of  the  World.  Map  of  Mexico.  Statute  miles, 
69.16—1  degree.  Kilometers,  111.307—1  degree.  19  x  26.  Chicago,  Rand, 
McNally  &  co.,  1891. 

Note. — Inset  of  "  Valley  of  Mexico  on  an  enlarged  scale." 

L.  C. 
1891. 

Reduction  del  piano  oficial  de  la  ciudad  de  Mexico.  Levantado  de  orden  del  H. 
Ayuntamiento  por  la  Comision  de  saneamiento  y  desagiie  en  1889  y  1890  deta- 
llado  ampliamente  y  publicado  por  la  antigua  y  acreditada  casa  C.  Montauriol  y 
ca.,  1891.     29x38|.  L.  C. 

1891-1892. 

Carta  de  la  Republica.  1:100000.  1  Bl.  18.  I.  M.  Mexico.— N.  Tetzmeloccan.— 
O.  Huamantla. — S.  Popocatepetl. — T.  Puebla. — 11.  K.  Lanos. — P.  Chalchico- 
mola. — U.  Tlacoyalco. — V.  Orizaba. — lv.  A.  Tehuacan.  Mexico,  Secretaria  de 
Fomento.  Carte  des  Etats-Unis  du  Mexique  dress£e  par  tes  soins  de  la  Society 
de  geographie  de  Lille  d'apres  les  plus  regents  documents  officiels.  B.  S.  gebgr. 
Lille  18.  Diaz,  A.  Carta  topognifica  general  de  los  alrededores  de  Puebla, 
formada  por  la  Comision  Geogr&fica  Exploradora.  Edition  de  1884.  (3e  s£rie.) 
1:50000.  Paris,  impr.  Erhard.  Jaccottey,  P.,  et  M.  Mabyre.  Carte  des  services 
maritimes  posteaux  des  Antilles  et  du  Mexique.  Paris,  Delagrave,  £dit.  Rand, 
McNally  &  co.'s  indexed  (pocket)  map  of  Mexico.  New  York  and  Chicago,  el. 
Taken  from  "Bibliotheca  geographlca,"  1891  and  1892. 

1891-1893. 

Bosquejo  de  una  carta  geologica  de  la  Republica  Mexicana.  Formada  por  disposition 
del  Secretario  de  Fomento  por  una  comision  especial  bajo  la  direction  de  Antonio 
de  Castillo.  Reformada  con  nuevos  datos  en  1891,  1892  y  1893.  Escala: 
1:10000000.     IOJxLU.     Mexico,  E.  M.  Moreau,  [1893].  L.  C. 


44  "J  MEXICO, 

1891-1896. 

Report  uf  the  international  boundary  commission.  United  States  and  Mexico. 
L891  L896.  Mape  title.  26  maps.  toL  Washington,  Government  Printing  office, 
1898. 

Liet  of  maps, 

Imiix  map  of  the  boundary. 

California  line. 

Colorado  River  section  of  the  boundary  (In  colon). 

Arizona— Sonora  oblong  line. 

Parallel  31°20'  north  latitude. 

Meridian  section. 

Parallel  :;i°47'  north  latitude. 

Profile  of  the  boundary. 

1..  C 
1892. 

Carta  de  los  ferrocarriles  <le  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos.  1 :2000000.  L890.  ( lor- 
rected  to  1892.    Published  by  the  Mexican  Government. 

U.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 
1892. 

Map  of  Mexico.  About  1:3000000  (45  miles  to  inch).  By  C.  H.Ourand.  Published 
by  Bureau  of  Military  Information,  War  Department,  1891.     Revised  ed.,  1892. 

U.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 
1892-1893. 

Krater-Typen  in  Mexico  und  Guatemala.  Nach  Aufnahmerj  von  Dr.  Carl  Sapper,  1892 
und  1893.  12  x  8J.  [In  Petermann's  Mittheilungen,  1894.  4°.  Gotha,  .1. 
Perthes,  [1894].     v.  40,  pi.  8.     at  end.]  L.  C. 

1893. 

Carta  de  los  ferrocarriles  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanos.     1893. 

1'.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 

1893. 

Carta  de  los  meteorites  de  Mexico,  6  regiones  de  la  Repiiblica  en  que  lian  caido  tierros 
y  piedras  mete6ricas.  Formada,  bajo  los  auspicios  de  la  Secretarfa  de  Fomento, 
por  Antonio  del  Castillo,  ingeniero  de  minas,  director  de  la  Escuela  Nacional  de 
Ingenieros  y  de  la  Comision  Geologica.  Escala:  1 :  10000000.  14J  x  10J.  Mexia  i, 
Moreau  y  ho.,  [1893].  L.  C. 

1893. 

Carta  minera  de  la  Repiiblica  Mexicans.  Formada,  por  disposici6n  del  Secretarii .  de 
Fomento,  por  el  ingeniero  de  minas,  Antonio  del  Castillo.  Corregida  en  L893. 
Escala:  1:2000000.     42Jx66.     Mexico,  E.  M.  Moreau  y  ho.,  [1893]. 

1893. 

Piano  de  la  ciudad  de  Mexico.  lOJxlo}.  [In  Diccionario  enciclopeVlico  hispano- 
americano.     8°.     Barcelona,  Montaner  &  Simon,  1893.     v.  12,  bet.  pp.  740-741.] 

L.  C. 


CARTOGRAPHY.  443 

1893. 

Castillo  (Antonio  del).  Bosquejo  de  una  carta  geologica  de  la  Republica  Mexicana. 
1:10000000.     Comision  Geologica  Mexicana.     Mexico. 

Carta  de  los  meteoritos  de  Mexico,  6  regiones  de  la  Republica  en  que  han 

cai'do  fierros  y  piedras  meteoricas.     1: 10000000.     Comision  Geologica  Mexicana. 
Mexico. 

Cartas  geologicas  de  pozos  artesianos  abiertos  en  la  Gran  Cuenca  de  Mexico. 

Comision  Geologica  Mexicana.     Mexico. 

Piano  geologico  del  Pefion  de  los  Bafios.  1:4000.  Comision  Geologica  Mexi- 
cana.    Mexico.  * 

Piano  geologico  y  petrografico  de  la  Cuenca  de  Mexico,  region  sw.     1 :  2000000. 

Comision  Geologica  Mexicana.     Mexico. 

Cabanas  (L. )  y  Ordonez  (E. )     Piano  geologico  de  las  minas  de  fierro  de  la 

Ferriera,  de  la  Encarnacion  y  del  distrito  minero  de  S.  Jose'  del  Oro.     1:20000. 
Comision  Geologica  Mexicana.     Mexico. 

Taken  from  "  Bibliotheca  Geographica,  1893." 

1893. 

Piano  geologico  y  petrografico  de  la  cuenca  de  Mexico,  region  SW.  Formado  por 
Antonio  del  Castillo  y  Ezequiel  Ordonez,  1893.  No.  1. — SW.  de  la  cuenca  de 
Mexico.     Escala:  1:200000.     10x18.     Mexico,  E.  M.  Moreau  y  ho.,  [1893]. 

1894. 

Carta  general  del  Estado  de  S.  Luis  Potosi.  Levantada  por  iniciativa  de  su  actual 
gobernador,  Gral.  Carlos  Diez  Gutierrez,  por  la  Comision  Geografico-exploradora. 
Mexico,  1894.     Scale,  1:250000,  or  4  stat.  miles  to  sj|  inch.     12  sheets. 

Note. — The  scale  on  which  this  map  is  drawn  is  sufficiently  large  to  admit  of  a  considerable 
amount  of  detail  being  shown.  The  altitudes  are  given  in  meters  and  all  means  of  communi- 
cation are  laid  down.  On  the  different  sheets  of  the  map  some  useful  statistical  and  geographi- 
cal information  is  given  in  tabular  form,  together  with  insets  showing  the  political  divisions 
and  geographical  positions.  The  hill  shading  employed  is  effective,  the  rivers  and  streams 
are  printed  in  blue,  and  the  lettering  clear. 

Title  taken  from  the  Geographical  Journal,  London,  1896.    v.  VII,  no.  1. 

1894. 

Ferrocarriles  de  Hidalgo  y  del  Nordeste;  piano  general.     1:250000.     1894. 

U.  S.  War  Dept.  Lib. 
1894. 

Mexico.     17 J  x  23*.     [Philadelphia],  W.  M.  Bradley  &  bro.,  1894. 
Note.— From  Bradley's  Atlas  of  the  world,    p.  73.    Philadelphia,  1885. 

L.  C. 

1894. 

Karte  der  Verbreitung  der  Sprachen  in  Sudost-Mexieo  und  Britisch  Honduras  urn's 
Jahr  1894.     Von  Dr.  Karl  Sapper.     Massstab:  1:4000000.     9f  x  121. 

[In  Petennann's  Mittheilungen.    1895.    4°.    Gotha,  J.  Perthes,  [1895].    v.  41,  pi.  12.    at  end.] 

L.  C. 

1894. 

Map  of  the  United  States  of  Mexico.     Drawn  and  compiled  from  the  latest  Mexican 
and  United  States  Government  autnorities,  and  other  reliable  sources.    By  Oscar 
Hindrichs,  C.  E.     Scale,   1:5385600.     16£  x  22J.     [In  Moore   (Henry).     Rail- 
way guide  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico.     Springfield,  O.,  Huben  &  More,  1894.] 
♦  L.  C. 


444  Mexico. 

1894. 

A  general  map  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  by  Brigadier-General  Pedro  Garcfa  Conde, 
engraved  from  original  survey  by  order  of  the  Mexican  government,  ;in<l  colored 

to  show  the  departments.     The  capitals  of  departments  cities,  towns,  villages, 

and  farms  are  given;  also  military  centres,  anchorages,  etc.  Four  sheets;  50  x  37 
inches;  64  miles  to  an  inch  (1:055040). 

Note.— Title  from  Stanford's  Catalogue  of  maps.    London,  Oct.,  1894. 

British  Museum  catalogue  of  maps  mentions  editions  of  1845  and  1848  (?)  of  this  map. 

m  1895. 

Chavez  ( E.  A. )  Republica  Mexicana.  Recto:  Carta  muda  de  geograf fa  ffsica.  Verso: 
Carta  muda  de  geografia  polftica.     Paris,  Impr.  lithog.  Ve.  Bouret. 

Carta  general  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mezicanos,  segiin  los  liltimos  datos,  for- 

mada  bajo  la  direccion  de  Ezequiel  A.  Chavez,  para  uso  de  las  escuelas  primarias 
de  la  Republica.  Echelle:  J,  683,44.  Cartes  muette  et  avec  lettres.  Paris,  1895. 
Imp.  Monrocq;  lib.  Bouret. 

Taken  from  "  Bibliotheca  Geographica,  1895." 

1895. 
Map  of  Mexico.    9  x  10. 

[In  Campbell  (Rean).    Campbell's  complete  guide  and  descriptive  book  of  Mexico.    12°. 
Chicago,  1895.] 

L.  C. 
1895-1896. 

Carta  de  comunicaciones  de  los  Estados  Unidos  Mexicanoe.  Formada  de  orden  de 
la  Secretarfa  de  Estado^y  del  Despacho  de  Comunicaciones  y  Obras  Publicas  por 
el  Coronel  Bodo  von  Wliimer.  Escala:  1 :  1000000.  1895-1896.  2  sheets,  each 
51  x  93.     Berlin,  Grabado  6  impreso  en  el  Institute  Litografico,  1895-96. 

L.  C. 
1896.     * 

Carta  de  la  Republica  Mexicana,  A  la  100000s.  Secretarfa  de  Estado  y  del  Despacho 
de  Fomento.  Comision  geogr£fica  de  Guerra  y  Fomento  bajo  la  direccion  del 
ing.  A.  Dfaz.  Dib.  y  escrit. :  J.  Lopez.  Constr.  y  config. :  Ing.  R.  Sandoval.  I' 
edici6n,  1888.— Publicada  en  1896.     I"  serie.     Hoja-19-1  (Y).     16|  x  22. 

L.  C. 
1896. 

The  valley  of  Mexico.  To  illustrate  the  paper  by  O.  H.  Howarth.  1:15000000,  or  1 
inch-8  miles.     8\  x  7J. 

[In  Royal  Geographical  Society.    Journal,  1896.    8°.    London,  1896.    v.  8,  p.  200.] 

L.  C. 
1897. 

Carta  de  la  Republica  Mexicana,  a  la  100000s.  Secretarfa  de  Estado  y  del  Despacho 
de  Fomento.  Comisi6n  geognifiea  de  (iuerra  y  Fomento  bajo  la  direccion  del 
ing.  A.  Diaz.  Constr.  y  dib.:  E.  Estrada.  Config.:  C.  Rivera.  Escrib. :  J. 
Samaniego.  Bajo  la  inspecc.  del  Ing.  C.  T.  Alvarez.  I*  edici6n,  1893. — Publi- 
cada en  1897.     I"  serie.     Hoja-51-(L).     16^x22. 

L.  C. 
1897. 

Geologische  Karte  von  den  Vereinigten  Staaten  und  Mexiko.  Massstab:  1 :  20000000. 
8i  x  10*. 

[In  Meyers  Konvereations-Lexikon.    5te  Aufl.    8°.    1897.    v.  17,  b«.  pp.  230-231.] 

L.  C. 


CARTOGRAPHY  445 

1897. 

Mexiko.     Massstab:  1:12000000.     8^  x  10£. 

[In  Meyers  Konversations-Lexikon.    5te  Aufl.    8°.    Leipzig  und  Wien,  Bibliographisches 
Institut,  1897.    v.  12,  bet.  pp.  234-235.1 

L.  C. 

1897. 

Mexiko.     Massstab:  1:12000000.     8$  x  11. 

fin  Brockhaus'  Konversations-Lexikon.    14te  Aufl.    8°.    Leipzig,  F.  A.  Brockhaus,  1895. 
v.  11,  bet.  pp.  840-841.] 

L.  C. 

1897. 

Mexique.     fichelle  du  10,000,000e.     Grave  et  imp.  par  Erhard  fres.,  1897.     10  x  14. 
[In  Grande  (La)  Encyclopedic    8°.    Paris,  H.  Lamirault  &  cie.,  [1885-98].    v.  23,  bet.  pp. 
864-865.] 

L.  C.  . 

1897. 

A  section  of  north  Mexico  showing  the  journeys  of  J.  Gurdon  L.  Stephenson,  F.  R. 
G.  S.,  and  A.  Krauss,  F.  R.  G.  S.,  1897.  Scale,  1: 1250000  or  1  inch— 19.7  miles. 
27  x  14. 

[In  Royal  Geographical  Society.    Journal,  1898.    8°.    London,  1898.    v.  11,  p.  464.] 

L.  C. 
1897. 

The  Century  Atlas.     Mexico.     10£  x  15.     New  York,  The  Century  co.,  1897. 

L.  C. 

1897. 

The  Century  Atlas.  Mexico,  central  portion.  10j  x  15.  New  York,  The  Century 
co.,  1897.  L.  C. 

1897. 

Vereinigte  Staaten  und  Mexiko.     Massstab:  1:20000000.     8£  x  10£. 

[In  Meyers  Konversations-Lexikon.    5te  Aufl.    8°.    Leipzig  und  Wien,  Bibliographisches 
Institut,  1897.    v.  17,  bet.  pp.  224-225.] 

L.  C. 

1898. 

Mexico.  Scale  statute  miles,  69.16 — 1  degree.  Kilometres,  111.307 — 1  degree.  19 
x  26.     Chicago,  Rand,  McNally  &  co.,  1898. 

Note.— From  Rand,  McNally  &  company's  indexed  Atlas  of  the  World.    Inset:  "  Map  of  the 
valley  of  Mexico  on  enlarged  scale." 

L.  C. 
1898. 

Rand,  McNally  &  co.'s  indexed  State  and  railroad  map  of  Mexico,  showing  the  rail- 
roads, islands,  lakes,  mountains,  rivers,  States,  towns  and  villages.  61  pp.  1  fold, 
map.     18°.    Chicago  and  New  York,  Rand,  McNally  &  co.,  [1898]. 

1900. 

Mexico.  From  official  Mexican  and  other  sources.  Scale,  50  miles  to  the  inch. 
Size  39  x  28J.  Prepared  by  the  Bureau  of  the  American  Republics.  Wash- 
ington, 1900. 


II^DEX 


Page. 

Acids  and  chemical  compounds,  manufacture  of 256 

Agriculture: 

American  capital  invested  in 258 

Development  of 171 

Government  aid  to 169 

Agricultural  products 172 

exports  of 267 

wealth 166 

Aguascalientes,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  industries,  etc.) 70-73 

Aliens,  rights  of 53 

Altitudes: 

Of  capitals  of  States 408 

Of  mounts,  valleys,  etc 409 

Antimony 224 

Exports  of 230 

Archaeology 40 

Area 5,407 

Army 55 

Asphalt  and  coal,  exports  of 230 

petroleum,  deposits  of 234 

Baja  California,  territory  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  etc. )  ...  156-159 

Bananas,  production  of 204 

Banking  legislation  and  methods 318 

Banks 314-326 

American  capital  invested  in 317 

Principal 316 

Barley 175 

Beer  and  ale 250 

Bibliography 421 

Boundaries 7 

Budget .' 306 

Building  in  Mexico 405 

Cacao,  cultivation  of 183 

American  firms  engaged  in 184 

production  of 184 

Campeche,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc) 73-78 

Canaigre 211 

Candy,  manufacture  of 256 

Cartography , 427 

Cattle: 

Exports  of 215 

Permanent  exposition  and  market  for  sale  of 257 

Statistics 219 

Census 5 

Central  States .-. 57 

Area  of 407 

447 


448  INDEX. 

fage. 

( lereals,  total  production  of 175 

Cession  of  territory  to  the  United  States 8 

Chambers  <>f  commerce  in  .Mexico 416 

<  hiapas,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.) 78-83 

( 'hide,  cultivation  of 192 

exports  of 192 

Chihuahua,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.)...  s:;-si; 

Chocolate,  manufacture  of 256 

Churches 381-385 

Cities  and  towns  (principal),  population  of 163 

Citizenship 52 

Climate 13 

Coahuila,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc. ) 86-92 

Coal 221,  224.  233 

trade '. 27s 

Coasts 10 

Coffee: 

American  firms  engaged  in  planting 178 

Cultivation  of 1 75 

Exports  of -'tis 

Production  of 1 7S 

Coinage 310 

Colima,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.) 92-95 

Colonies 372 

Colonics: 

Contracts  for  introduction  of  foreign '.'>7'.'> 

Government  aid  to 371 

Colonization 366 

Law 367 

State  legislation  concerning 372 

Commerce 262 

Commercial  travelers  in  Mexico 291 

Concessions  for  establishment  of  new  industries 2ti0 

Constitution 50 

General  provisions  of 54 

Copper 221-224 

and  copper  ores,  exports  of 229 

Corn 172 

Cotton: 

Cultivation  of 181 

(Raw)  imports  of,  into  Mexico 183 

Industry 182,  .Mil 

Production  of 182 

Cotton-seed  mills 255 

Cultivation,  native  methods 213 

Currency 312 

Custom-houses 281 

revenue  of 298 

Debt,  public 301-305 

Dentistry,  regulations  for  practice  of 402 

Diaz,  Porfirio 22 

Drawn  work 256 

Durango,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.) 95-99 


INDEX.  449 


Dyewoods 210 

Education: 

Compulsory 376 

Law  of  public  instruction 377 

Statistics  concerning 379 

Educational  institutions 378 

Ethnological  and  archaelogical  works  on  Mexico 423 

Ethnology 24 

Executive  power 48 

Expenditures 297,  299 

Exports 264-270 

Export  trade  (general) 268 

Eauna 15 

Feather  work 256 

Federal  district  (general  description,  political  divisions,  etc. ) 59 

Value  of  property  in 62 

Federal  Government 50 

Fiber  plants '  198-200 

Financial  organization 295 

Flora 14 

Flour  mills 251,  173 

production 174 

Forests,  national 1 70 

Free  zone 292 

Fruits 204 

Furniture,  manufacture  of 256 

Geographical  position 5 

Geology 11 

Ginger 212 

Glassware,  manufacture  of 255 

Gold  bullion,  exports  of 226 

production 226 

and  silver,  taxes  on 311 

Government 47 

Grape  production ., 203 

Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  prefecture  of 60 

Guanajuato,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.).  99-102 
Guerrero,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.)  ..  102-105 

Gulf  States 57 

Area  of 407 

Gulfs  and  bays 10 

Gunpowder,  manufacture  of 256 

Haciendas  or  plantations,  number  of 213 

Hammocks,  manufacture  of 253 

Hardware,  manufacture  of 256 

Hat  industry 256 

Henequen: 

Exports  of 199,  267 

Production  of 198 

Hidalgo,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.) 106-108 

Hides,  exports  of 215 

and  skins 255 

Historical  sketch 17 

509  a— 04 29 


450  INDKX. 

'■  ■'»'•' 

Hydrography 10 

[mmigration ;;ii,i 

Import  duties  (nem  I -"■',l 

Imp .rt> 271 1-274 

I  ndust  ries 245-261 

American  capital  invested  in 257 

i  new  i  <  rovernmenl  :ii<l  ti> 259 

Miscellaneous 257 

I  mlus!  fia  1  development,  <  iovernment  aid  to 259 

[ron 222,224 

ami  st  eel  imports 278 

works 251 

I  rrigation 171 

Islands 10 

Area  of 4i>7 

Ixtle: 

1  'n  duction  of 1!'!' 

Exports  of , 200 

Judicial  power 48 

Jalisco,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc)  108-112 

Jewelry 256 

Labor  in  .Mexico,  cost  of -103 

Lakes 10 

Land  law 364 

Lam  Is,  public 362 

Laws: 

Banking 318 

Colonization 367 

Land 364 

Mining 236 

Latent '. 386 

Public  instruction 377 

Railn  tad 344 

Tan  ff 283 

Trade -mark 395 

Legislative  power 47 

Lead  mines 221-224 

Libraries 380 

Liqui  irs 250 

Living,  cost  of 402 

Live  stock,  export  of,  to  Cuba 270 

Maguey,  cultivation  of 200 

Manganese,  oxide  of 224 

Marble 224,  225 

E  x  i  >orts  of 230 

Matches,  manufacture  of 256 

•Manufactures 245 

Manufacturing  enterprises,  American  capital  invested  in 258 

Measures 413 

Medicinal  plants 209 

Medicine,  regulations  for  practice  of 401 

Mercury 221,222 

Meteorological  data 410 


INDEX.  451 

Page. 

Mexico,  city  of 62-69 

Mexico,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.) 112-115 

Mezcal 201 

Michoacitn,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.).  115-118 

Mineral  production 227 

products,  exports  of 230 

resources 221 

Miners,  wages  of 232 

Mining: 

American  capital  invested  in 233,  258 

Claims 228 

Development 232 

Districts 221 

Law 236 

Legislation 235 

Taxes 240 

Methods- 
Patio  process 225,  230 

Lixiviation  process 231 

Mints 309 

Molasses,  production  of 198 

Monetary  census 417 

Morelos,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc. ) 118-120 

Mountain  ranges 9 

Museums 380 

Mulberry  trees 204 

Navigation 281 

Navy 56 

Newspapers 380 

Northern  States 57 

Area  of 407 

Nuevo  Leon,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.).   120-123 

Oaxaca,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industrie,  etc.) 123-126 

Oleaginous  plants 202 

Olive  trees 204 

Onyx 224,  225 

Opals 223 

Oranges: 

Cultivation  of 206 

Exports  of 207 

Production  of -208 

Orography 9 

Pacific  Coast  States,  area  of 407 

Paper: 

Manufacture  of 240 

Trade - 280 

Patent  law 386 

regulations 391 

Patents,  number  of,  issued 400 

Pearl  fishing 254 

shell 255 

Petroleum  and  asphaltum 234 

Pharmacy,  regulations  for  practice  of 401 


1  •")  2  I  N  I  >  B  X . 

Pipeapples,  cultivation  and  production  of 209 

Plantations  or  haciendas,  number  of 213 

Plants: 

Fiber L98 

Fodder 210 

Dye-producing 210 

Mr.  Licinal 209 

( Oleaginous 202 

Other 212 

Tanning 211 

Political  divisions 57 

I 'el  dilation 5 

Principal  cities  and  towns 168 

Porta  of  entry 280 

Postal  Service :;.">7 

conventii  >ns 358 

Pottery  works 253 

Prefectures: 

Guadalupe-Hidalgo 60 

Tacubaya 60 

Tlalpam 61 

Xochimilco 61 

Property,  estimated  value  of  city  and  suburban 412 

Precious  metals,  production  of 229 

stones 225 

Pul  »licati<  >ns 380 

Public  debt 301-806 

instruction,  law  of 377 

lands 362 

Puebla,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.  i 126-127 

Puli | ue,  production  of 200 

Oueretaro.  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.)..    127-130 

Railroad  law 344 

traffic  with  the  United  States 343 

Railways :;27 

American  capital  invested  in 257,  '133 

Foreign  capital  i  total  |  invested  in 331 

Religion .">4, 3s l ,  382 

Revenues 295 

Pice 175 

Rivew 10 

Rubber: 

Cultivation  of 185 

1  'p  iducti*  »n  Pt2 

Exports  of 102 

American  firms  engaged  in  planting = 101 

Sal t    22 1 .  22a 

San  Puis  Pot osi.  State  of  ,  general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.  ).  130-133 

Silkworm  industry 170,  204.  240 

Silver  Pul  lion,  exports  of 226 

ores 231 

product i. »n 221-226 

and  gold,  taxes  on 311 

Sinaloa,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.  ) 134-130 


INDEX.  453 

Page. 

Skins  and  hides 255 

Sonora,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  industries,  etc.) 136-139 

Specie,  exports  of 310 

Sponges 254 

States: 

Aguascalientes 70 

Campeche 73 

Chiapas 78 

Chihuahua 83 

Coahuila 86 

( '<  >lima 92 

Durango 95 

Guanajuato 99 

Guerrero 102 

Hidalgo 106 

Jalisco 108 

Mexico 112 

Michoacan 115 

Morelos 118 

Nuevo  Leon 120 

Oaxaca 123 

Puebla 126 

Queretaro 127 

San  Luis  Potosi 130 

Sinaloa 134 

Sonora 136 

Tabasco 139 

Tainaulipas 142 

Tlaxcala 145 

Veracruz 147 

Yucatan 150 

Zacatecas 153 

Area  of 6, 407 

Census  of 6 

Government  of 49 

Position  and  altitude  of  capital  cities 408 

Revenues  and  expenditures  of 412 

Steel  and  iron  works 251 

Steamship  lines 358 

concessions 361 

Stock  raising 214 

Sugar: 

Beet 212 

Cane — 

Cultivation  of 194 

Production  of 197 

Exports  of 197 

Mills 250 

Planting,  American  firms  engaged  in 196 

Production 195-198 

Sulphur  deposits 222, 224,  225 

Tabasco,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  etc. ) 139-142 

Tacubaya,  prefecture  of 60 


454  INDEX. 

Tamaulipas,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  etc) 142-1 4-"> 

Tanneries 255 

Tanning  plants 211 

Tari  ff 

Telegraph  lines 354 

Telephone  Bervice :'i">7 

Tepic,  territory  of  i  general  description,  resources,  trade,  etc) 169- 163 

Te,,uila 20] 

Territorial  division ">7 

Territories: 

Area  of 407 

I'.aja  California 156 

Tepic 159 

Tlachique 201 

Tlalpam,  prefecture  of til 

Tlaxcala,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  etc) 145-147 

Tobacco: 

Cultivation  of 1 17s 

Exports  of 181 

Industry 250 

Production  of 180 

Tonnage 281 

Topography s 

Trade,  domestic  and  foreign 281, 

with  the  United  states 274-278 

Trade-mark  law 395 

regulations , 398 

Trade-marks,  number  of  registered 400 

Treaties  and  convention-  with  other  countries 41 S 

Valley  of  Mexico  (general  description,  natural  products,  drainage,  etc  > ">7 

Vanilla: 

Cultivation  of 193 

Exports  of 194 

Veracruz,  State  of  I  general  description,  resources,  trade,  etc) 147-150 

Vine: 

Cultivation  of 169,202 

I 'n tductii hi  < if 203 

Vital  statistics 7,  410 

Wages  in  Mexico 404 

Weights  and  measures 413 

W  heat 1  72 

Wines 203, 250 

Woolen  g Is,  manufacture  of 248 

W Is 210 

Cabinet ". 210 

Xochimilco,  prefecture  of 61 

Yucatan,  state  of   general  description,  resources,  trade, etc) 160-153 

Yucca 212 

Zacatecas,  State  of  (general  description,  resources,  trade,  etc) L53-156 

Zacaton,  production  of 201 

Zinc 222,227 

o 


Date  D 


